This Iron’s future is a no brainer

West Ham simply have to keep Alphonse Areola at the club next season.

The Hammers goalkeeper has been excellent throughout the Europa League campaign, and was in terrific form  again on Thursday as the Irons were narrowly beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt.

He was at no fault for either goal and actually made a truly brilliant save before their second goal, with his parried stop unfortunately falling at the feet of Daichi Kamada.

Carlton Cole, who watched on as a pundit on Thursday, told BT Sport: “It is like it is seamless when he comes in – it is not a problem.

“When he comes in he does a great job.”

We have reported previously that the Frenchman is earning £90,000-per-week and that wage befits a first-choice goalkeeper. He wants assurances that he will be worth that, and he has more than earned the right.

There are still suggestions that another goalkeeper could be found in the summer but it doesn’t make much sense; Areola knows the Irons and he knows what it takes to play behind this backline.

He is a vocal organiser and is an excellent shot-stopper too.

Given that the Irons have the option to buy him from PSG when the transfer window reopens, it seems like nothing short of a no-brainer.