West Ham are closing in on their first signing of the summer although sadly it is one that is widely expected and has been for several weeks.
The Times has confirmed that goalkeeper Alphonse Areola now looks a certainty to sign for the hammers despite his extraordinarily high wages.
We suggested some weeks ago that Nick Pope may be an alternative to the on loan Paris St German keeper but it now seems certain – as we reported – David Moyes strongly favours the Frenchman.
West Ham have been paying £25k a week of the stopper’s £125k weekly wage but the switch will cost the club £10.5m. Pope’s wages would be less but the transfer outlay possible double.
Now The Times claims West Ham – as we declared – have a preference for Areola and will push ahead to sign him permanently.
“West Ham United are expected to make goalkeeper Alphonse Areola’s loan move permanent in preference to a move for Nick Pope, of Burnley,” The Times reports.
And at West Ham we were told that Moyes has always been keen on the Frenchman but that wage negotiations were continuing.
Ominous signs then for the usual transfer window and lack of ambition in GSB
Hands up all those who were impressed by Alphonse Areola ! The Player seemed to me at best average and I sighed a sigh of relief when Fabianski returned. Pope is up and coming and English, why not buy the future ? Moyes is a pain. Please make him a Coach and take over transfers he could not pick a fish in a barrel if he was starving.
Someone anyone please wake up dithering moyes again. Money is there plus getting rid of many including vlasic what a disastrous 30mill spent with 4 mill loan for kral too. Let Newman do our transfers as moyes is still sleeping as usual
Fabianski was awful against Brighton and we need a new keeper. Nick Pope would be a great signing.
Areola is a great signing. I felt confident with him between the sticks in our run to the semi final. I think him and Fabianski might swap places next year.