Somewhat surprisingly, West Ham have done the right thing and released details early of those four players who are not being retained and who will be leaving the club at the end of their contracts in just three games’ time.
Rather than leaving supporters and players to dangle right to the death with a ‘will they, won’t they‘ drama, it is better for all concerned to have a clear policy and a chance, hopefully, to say farewell on the pitch: Such opportunities were denied favourites like Pablo Fornals so it seems the best way to go about parting company with four claret and blue-clad trophy winners. And there aren’t many of those around.
Lucas Fabianski was odds-on for another extension – he has performed well enough earlier this season when Areloa had his back injury but the news that ‘Fab’ is leaving only underlines West Ham’s urgent need for another top level goalkeeper this summer.
Many had voiced a hope that the club would go after Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher but it is easy to see why the Irish stopper would not want to touch London Stadium with a barge pole whilst the Hammers are just above the drop zone.
So today’s renewed suggestion (thehardtackle.com) that West Ham are readying an offer of £20 million for relegated keeper Aaron Ramsdale needs to be taken seriously. Undoubtedly Ramsdale used to be a top quality keeper: Whether he can regain the form that saw him earn caps for his country will be upto Potter, his coaching staff and the player himself. West Ham only have Areloa and ‘clean sheet Wes‘ Foderingham – another squad keeper picked up from Sheffield United when they went down.
Not challenging for European football affects the talent pool and this is another symptom: If Ramsdale can recapture his glory days then he might prove me and thousands others wrong. Here’s hoping.
Good keeper…go for it
Kelleher for me, do all you can to get him. Ramsdales over rated, he’s not a safe pair of hands for me. We need to get this signing right and make sure we get a solid keeper for the next 5 years. Even if we have to spend £30mill (if we have it). Areola isn’t a 1st choice keeper and Ramsdales been relegated 3 times in a row and has poor concentration
Ramsdales a quality keeper and a good signing for 20mil ..
Knows the premier league , English player ….
I am happy with that
bring back David Martin!!!
There are a few good keepers around Europe that we could try for 20 million. Why are we so short-sighted?
that stat can be ignored. it’s pointless unless given relevant contexts
Not what we want, a very lazy choice, no thought put in, just go for easy option former prem keeper getting relegated. Where are our scouts? There’s some far better up and coming keepers for far less money if we bothered to look.
Is the Burnley goalkeeper a no-go now?
Being up front is not a whu policy and expect things will change.
Well Ramsdale at 20 mil will be the first of numerous disastrous new signings.
Is he a potter or Sullivan choice? Which one of this win double has sanctioned this fool.
He’s not very good though, and a new keeper is the last thing we need, use the extra £20 million on a proper midfielder instead
100% agree. Statistically he’s around the same as Areola by xG prevented… Which goes to say bottom 5 in the Prem this year. Sideways step