Following Gary Jacob’s recent article in the Times, which highlighted [West Ham’s](https://www.claretandhugh.info/newly-promoted-leeds-about-to-do-west-ham-fans-one-very-big-favour/) plans to recruit a central midfielder, left back, centre back and a forward – it seems the report may have missed one glaring area for urgent improvement. It was surprising that a goalkeeper was not included in the list, especially with the imminent departure of Lukasz Fabianski.
The former Poland international is looking to move to another London club, as his family is settled in Essex. This would leave West Ham with Alphonse Areola and Wes Foderingham as the only two recognised senior goal keepers.
The club have been linked to Aaron Ramsdale at Southampton who has a £25m release clause and Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool who has also caught the eye of Aston Villa and Chelsea.
With reports indicating that West Ham need to sell before they can buy, it is clear that manager Graham Potter and his backroom staff have more urgent priorities. However this situation is likely to leave many West Ham fans uneasy , as the new season approaches, particularly with the prospect of our back up keeper, who conceded 79 goals in his last season for Sheffield United, potentially seeking more game time.
Claret & Hugh reached out to a senior source earlier this week for clarification on the situation, but are yet to receive a response.
With the transfer window set to open on 1st June it will be interesting to see whether the links to Kelleher or Ramsdale progress. The alternative might be a ‘wild card’ candidate – such as Freiburg’s 22-year-old Noah Atubolu or heaven forbid, Chelsea’s universally unpopular Robert Sanchez.