Alphonse Areola
(Credit: Imago)
Henry Green
Tue 5 August 2025 12:40, UK
Graham Potter has been keen to add to his goalkeeping department after Alphonse Areola had fallen out of favour.
Areola had been utilised as the Hammers’ number one goalkeeper last season, but could now find himself on the way out of the London Stadium this summer.
Earlier in the window, Potter’s side had looked at the possibility of signing Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen, but seemed to have ruled the transfer out as being too expensive.
West Ham now look to be making good progress on a cheaper alternative, which could spell the end of Areola’s time in East London.
Graham Potter sitting
Potter has had decisions to make in goal (Credit: Imago)
John Victor set to sign for West Ham
With Lukas Fabianski departing at the end of last season, it was inevitable that the Hammers would sign a new goalkeeper this summer.
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However, it was uncertain whether the newcomer would be utilised as a second-choice goalkeeper or a new number one, with Wes Foderingham and Areola still on the books.
It now appears that Potter’s side will sign a new number one in Botafogo’s John Victor.
According to transfer expert Fabriziano Romano on X (5 August), West Ham have reached a verbal agreement to sign Victor as their new goalkeeper from Botafogo.
The Hammers will pay a reported fee of around £8.6million for the Brazilian, who has already agreed personal terms.
With the 29-year-old seemingly arriving to become the new number one in East London, at 32, Areola won’t be happy to sit on the bench and therefore could leave in the coming weeks.
Areola will be disappointed with Potter’s decision
West Ham’s decision to sign Victor will give them a fresh headache in the coming weeks.
Areola will no doubt be keen to leave the Hammers after Potter’s decision to seemingly replace the Frenchman.
With Areola wanting out, the Irons will again have to look for another new second-choice keeper, and Potter could get caught up in a goalkeeping merry-go-round.
In a time when it is crucial for the Hammers to prioritise adding attacking reinforcements, the Victor move could hinder their transfer plans.
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