Alphonse Areola, Graham Potter, West Ham.
(Credit: Imago)
Evan Shaw
Thu 12 June 2025 17:30, UK
Alphonse Areola has endured a difficult time at West Ham over the last four seasons.
The 32-year-old has failed to ever really nail down a starting spot for the Hammers, and he has once again come in for criticism after what has been a challenging season this term.
With usual partner Lukasz Fabianski now moving on after seven seasons at the London Stadium, adding a new shotstopper to the ranks will be one of the main priorities for Graham Potter this summer.
It is an area of the squad that is in drastic need of improvement, and the former Chelsea and Brighton boss will be keen to get his own man through the door.
Graham Potter, West Ham.
Graham Potter will be desperate to add a new goalkeeper this summer. (Credit: Imago)
Areola surely has no future if West Ham sign Petrovic
The Hammers’ summer business is set to be made significantly harder by their current financial standing.
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They are one of several clubs that are toeing the line at present when it comes to PSR, and as a result appear set to be forced into selling some of their key players.
Mohammed Kudus is seemingly in line for a move to Chelsea as West Ham look to balance out their previous spending, and that has prompted suggestions of another deal which could potentially be struck with the Blues.
Chelsea ‘keeper Djordje Petrovic spent the season out on loan at Strasbourg, and has drawn the attention of the Hammers in recent weeks.
They are keen to bring the Serbian to E20, and those hopes have been handed a boost by Chelsea’s decision to leave him out of their squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.
The door has been left ajar for West Ham to pursue Petrovic, whose Chelsea snub has come due to them seeing the tournament as a continuation of the 2024/25 season, according to The Telegraph (11 June).
If West Ham did pursue a move for the 25-year-old, he would surely become the new number one at the London Stadium, and that would leave little point in Areola being kept around.
West Ham's Alphonse Areola.
Petrovic’s signing would surely push Areola towards the exit. (Credit: Imago)
Areola exit lined up at West Ham
If the Hammers did secure an agreement to bring Petrovic across London, it would surely spell the end for Areola’s time as number one with them.
Potter’s side once again does not have European football to contend with next season, meaning the workload is likely to be significantly lighter for players than it has been in previous seasons.
That leaves little need for rotation in the goalkeeping department.
Wes Foderingham will surely remain as he helps contribute towards the Premier League’s homegrown rule.
Given the financial constraints that West Ham are under, it would surely make sense for them to look to move Areola on, as he is a significant earner, especially if he won’t be playing much football.
That would then allow them to look to bring in another cost-effective alternative, perhaps a younger player, to be a genuine understudy to Petrovic.
From Areola’s point of view, at 32, he will surely want to maximise his career while he still can, so if it becomes clear that he won’t be a starter at West Ham, then he surely wouldn’t be opposed to moving on.
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