CandH Exclusive by Hughie Southon
Lukasz Fabianski could well be offered a new deal at the end of the current campaign despite most believing this was to be his last season.
It was thought Alophone Areola had been taken on loan with a ‘to buy’ option as his likely replacement.
We have also been linked with several other stoppers including West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.
But ClaretandHugh has learned that the 36 year old Fab – who pulled down the curtain on his international career over the last month – looks set to remain at the Hammers.
Having signed a new one year deal it was widely assumed that would be his last but a key club source has revealed this may not be the case.
Fab has been in fine form again over the first games of the campaign and made one brilliant save from Harry Kane this afternoon (Sun).
And that prompted us to ask whether he could be kept on for another term and were told that may well be the case.
Our source said; “It’s very possible he will remain at the club as No 1 or be challenging very hard for the position whoever else we may sign!
I get the feeling that Moyes isn’t Areola’s biggest fan. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Fab did stay on and we ended up getting Sam Johnstone in. That story just doesn’t seem to be going away from various reports. I think he is available on a free soon.
Moyes rates Areola otherwise he wouldn’t have played him in important europa league games. I could see Fabianski staying on as number two goalie next season despite his age. I think that’s the plan personally although at the end of the day it’s up to fab if he wants to retire or not.
I’ve got to agree that Lukasz Fabianski is not playing like a goalkeeper on his way out, and it would make great sense to offer him an extended contract whether as the number one keeper or backup to whoever that may be.
He is most definitely deserving of a new contract going by his form as I’ve got to say that as goalkeepers go, he is right up there with the better goalkeepers this club has seen over the years.