West Ham have been linked with three prospects this window as replacements for the veteran Lucas Fabianski. Kelleher has now been snapped up by Brentford who seem to know exactly how to get a deal over the line swiftly: Neither of the two who remain have been received with anything approaching enthusiasm by Hammers fans.
Alphonse Areola himself had an error-strewn ending to the season, raising questions about his ability to play to Potter’s possession based style.
It would be fair to say that links with Aaron Ramsdale have not received universal acclaim! The thrice-relegated Southampton keeper was once a very good shot stopper, making into the England squad. His confidence must be at rock-bottom just now after being shielded badly by a pretty poor Southampton defence last season.
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Links this week with Chelsea’s notorious (amongst Chelsea fans in any case) Robert Sanchez did little to boost morale amongst West Ham fans who will have heard, no doubt, of the ‘accident-waiting-to-happen‘ reputation which the Spaniard has amongst Chelsea fans: His stats do show high levels of errors leading to goals and only Graham Potter himself seems at all enthusiastic about bringing him east.
However the emergence of a ‘third man’ in the narrative – Chelsea’s extra goalkeeper with the MLS background Djordje Petrovic – appears to have created an elevated level of optimism which was distinctly lacking for the first two under consideration. The 25 year old Serbian had a hugely successful year on loan at Strasbourg, being awarded their ‘player of the year’ trophy.
Interestingly, according to bbc.co.uk: back in March ’25:
“Petrovic was sent to RC Strasbourg on loan in August due to concerns about his ability to play out from the back” but: “Sources at Strasbourg and close to Petrovic believe the loan move has been productive and allowed him to develop his footwork...[and the loan] has set up the chance for Petrovic to either return to Chelsea or possibly move to another big club, with sources close to the keeper believing £25m could be a possible valuation.
If Potter can incorporate Petrovic into any deal to send Kudus west then West Ham will have gained a first rate shot stopper every bit as good as was Fabianski at his peak.