According to Corriere Della Sera, as cited by Sport Witness, West Ham United have set their sights on Robin Olsen this summer. The AS Roma goalkeeper is expected to leave the club after the Italian giants signed Pau Lopez, and the Hammers are the latest club to join the chase. Olsen was previously linked with a move to Premier League rivals Watford.
Robin Olsen’s spell at Roma
Olsen was brought in from FC Copenhagen last summer, for a fee of €9 million. He was considered as a short-term replacement for Allison, who joined Liverpool on a record deal. The Swede did emerge as a first-team regular for the Giallorossi, making 27 league appearances. He also featured in six games in the UEFA Champions League.
That being said, Olsen lost his place to veteran keeper Antonio Mirante during the backend of last season. The veteran goalkeeper (who also joined Roma last summer) ended up making 11 league appearances. And even though the 36-year-old is unlikely to play a prominent role following the arrival of Lopez, the same thing applies to Olsen as well.
The ex-Malmo goalkeeper will likely have to play second fiddle to the Spaniard who moved to Roma for a fee of €23.5 million this summer. Hence, a move away from Rome makes sense for Olsen as he continues his search for regular first-team football next season.
Do West Ham really need Olsen?
West Ham have released Adrian this summer following the end of his contract. The Hammers have brought in two experienced goalkeepers in his place in the shape of Roberto and David Martin. These two will surely provide some much-needed competition for first-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
The Polish international was one of Premier League’s best goalkeepers last season. But, it’s also fair to point out that all three goalkeepers are in the final phase of their respective careers, with all of them aged 33 or above.
And although age is not really an issue for goalkeepers, the addition of 29-year-old Olsen could make sense. He would be able to provide a prospect for the future, albeit little. Besides, the Swede has played a lot of football in the past few years and could be groomed into an ideal replacement for Fabianski.
That being said, it isn’t imperative for West Ham to sign Olsen this summer as they have other important problems to address, one of them being the lack of depth in the defensive department. But, it will be interesting to see if the Hammers do make a move for the Roma goalkeeper.
