Having turned a drama into a crisis by letting veteran keeper Lucas Fabianski leave the club after seven years, when his performances even in his very last game for West Ham were still top-drawer, the club now needs – urgently – to bring in another stopper.
With Wes Foderingham the sole backup to Areola, the club must reinforce: Why they brought this trouble on themselves when they could have coped for another 12 moths when cash is – reportedly – short – is anyone’s guess.
Especially concerning as it has emerged that the club (i.e. Potter) have doubts over Areola’s long term suitability.
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Reported by Football Insider in their article yesterday ‘West Ham make transfer decision after concerning Alphonse Areola news‘, the outlet recounts the concerns at London Stadium now, post Fabianski’s exit :
“Paves the way for Alphonse Areola, 32, to become West Ham‘s undisputed number-one shot-stopper – but sources say the club have “concerns” about his ability to do so…Areola has never been fully relied upon at the London Stadium, even as Fabianski entered the twilight years of his career. …West Ham have Areola ‘concerns’.
And the report continues and names Aaron Ramsdale – no surprise there – as the stopper under consideration although things have moved pretty fast in the last couple of days and could now see Noah Atabolu (cheaper) or Robert Sanchez (Kudus part ex) of Chelsea becoming more likely.
The whole situation is almost laughable: Did nobody tell Graham Potter – who presumably took the decision to let Fabianski go – that there were no funds to bring in a new keeper until players are sold?
Ramsdale at £20 million seems totally out of reach for West Ham just now, unless the Saints would favour a loan deal to allow West Ham to kick the can 12 months down the road and for Saints to get £100k a week off their payroll. Don’t rule it out. Footballinsider247 ‘s later article last night suggested that it is very much on the table. Makes a lot of sense from both clubs’ points of view.