West Ham boss David Moyes offered high praise for Alphonse Areola when speaking to the media yesterday afternoon.
And his comments surely mean that he will make the 28-year-old’s goalkeeper’s loan deal a permanent one in the summer.
Areola moved to the London Stadium on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
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The 28-year-old Frenchman has really impressed when he has played for West Ham so far this season. He has conceded only seven goals in 11 outings for the Hammers and has kept six clean sheets in the process (Transfermarkt).
We have an option to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer for around £11 million (Wyn Foot).
So it was somewhat of a surprise when claims emerged over the weekend that David Moyes is more than likely to bring West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to West Ham on a free transfer in the summer (Claret and Hugh).
If the Baggies stopper is brought in, it’s reasonable to think that Areola will be sent back to PSG. The thought of that happening is a real worry for the Hammers fans. Areola is a truly top-class goalkeeper and missing out on the chance to sign him would be a massive mistake. It seems as though Moyes is a very big fan of the Frenchman though…
David Moyes drops Alphonse Areola hint
The Scot was speaking to reporters yesterday ahead of our game against Watford tonight at the London Stadium.
And Moyes responded when asked whether Lukasz Fabianski would return to the starting XI in place of Areola, as quoted by Football.London:
“Lukasz has been the number one, Alphonse has played really well for us in the main,” Moyes added. “He’s got a great record, not conceded too many goals so we’re really pleased with Alphonse but Lukasz is still number one.”
That sounds like Moyes is a very big fan of Areola and plans on keeping him at the London Stadium for quite some time yet.
Surely keeping the towering Frenchman at West Ham for the next 8-10 years is an absolute no-brainer for Moyes and West Ham. £11 million is absolute peanuts in this day and age.
Areola is one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet and if he is given regular first-team action, we think he will go on to become one of the very very all-round stoppers in the Premier League.
That night not happen this season. However, Moyes’s comments on Areola prove that the Frenchman definitely has a long-term future at West Ham United.
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