West Ham United are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mail. Areola spent last season on loan at Fulham, where he caught the eye with a number of impressive performances. PSG are on the verge of signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, paving the way for Areola to leave French capital.
West Ham United Interested in Signing Alphonse Areola
Alphonse Areola’s Impressive Season with Fulham
Alphonse Areola spent the last campaign on loan at newly-promoted Fulham. Although The Cottagers were unable to prevent instant relegation, Areola earned rave reviews for his performances. He made 116 saves in the league, the fifth most of all keepers. Areola also kept nine clean sheets, a very impressive return for a relegated side.
Specifically, his performances from the end of January to the start of March gave Fulham belief that they could stay up. Areola kept six clean sheets in ten games, during which time Fulham picked up 14 points. As a result, the London side were very much in the battle to stay up; with 11 games to go, there was just one point between themselves, Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle.
Fulham were dismal at the tail end of the campaign, but no blame was attributed to Areola. His performances earned valuable points, as they secured 13 draws across the course of the campaign; only Brighton had more. If their attackers were better at finding the back of the net, those draws would have turned into wins. As a result, Fulham fans named Areola as their player of the season.
Goalkeeper the Priority for West Ham This Summer
It’s no surprise that Areola has received interest from Premier League clubs this summer. The 28-year-old will likely be allowed to leave PSG this summer, now that Donnarumma is close to joining Keylor Navas as keepers in Paris.
West Ham currently look favourites to secure Areola’s signature. David Moyes’ side are preparing for European football following their sixth-place finish last term. The Hammers appear keen on an upgrade between the sticks for their European journey. Lukasz Fabianski has been a fine goalkeeper over the past three seasons. However, at the age of 36, his years at the top level are now limited.
West Ham also remain interested in Sam Johnstone. Similarly to Areola, Johnstone shone in a relegated side last season. New West Bromwich Albion boss Valerien Ismael expects Johnstone to leave this summer, with the London Stadium a likely destination.
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