RMC Sport has recently reported that West Ham United are in a strong position to land Paris Saint-Germain keeper Alphonse Areola this summer. It is believed that the Hammers are still negotiating with PSG over a potential move for the French custodian during this summer transfer window (via RMC Sport).
Areola’s Impressive Loan Spell At Craven Cottage Last Season
Areola had a solid loan spell at Fulham last season as he put in a series of impressive displays despite being relegated with them from the Premier League. The Paris-born sensation took part in 37 matches for the Cottagers in the previous campaign, conceding 48 goals and securing ten clean sheets in the process across multiple competitions.
The 28-year-old performed well to average 1.1 clearances and 4.4 long balls per game in the 2020-21 Premier League season. However, he was a bit untidy when distributing possession from the back, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 68.7% in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
The three-time France international has transformed himself into a decent keeper at the back, so it makes sense for the Hammers to engineer a move to bring him to the London Stadium. He is good enough to secure a regular starting spot in David Moyes’ first team.
Is Areola The Right Man For The Hammers?
Areola has good reflexes that help him pull off some clever saves at the back when the opposition are looking to threaten his goal. He is a solid handler of the ball and can make a few quick dives to come to use his side’s rescue every now and then.
The French shot-stopper can even clear his lines when required which makes him a reliable presence in goal. However, Areola has to figure out a way to improve his accuracy when passing the ball to his teammates if he wants to succeed at West Ham next season. If the ex-Villarreal custodian’s recent loan spell at Fulham was anything to go by, he would be the right man for the Hammers because of his towering presence and shot-stopping ability.
Areola has what it takes to compete with Łukasz Fabiański for a regular starting spot at the London Stadium in the upcoming campaign. The Frenchman could even go on to become an ideal successor to Fabianski, who has just got a year left to run in his contract with the East London club.
