Opinions are divided about West Ham upgrading their goal keeper this summer – but frankly, the Hammers cannot ignore the passing of time any longer. Lucas Fabianski is out of contract in June and 40 years old now, so, great servant that he has been, it is time to send him on his way back to Poland.
That leaves Alphonse Areola as West Ham’s sole front line keeper who was in fine form at Anfield yesterday after his shaky performance the week before.
Whether West Ham plan to replace him or not, that places the Irons one back spasm away from having Wes Foderingham – the Premier League’s worst keeper in 23/4 – from turning out between the sticks. Foderingham is essentially a training keeper and should be nowhere near the first team.
So like it or not, the Hammers simply must bring in a second choice or first -tier challenger for Areola.
As the good ol’ Irish Sun suggests – how we’d love this to be true:
“West Ham want to bring in a new No 1 — with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher firmly in their sights. The Irons like the Republic of Ireland star, 26, and are keen on a deal, especially if they can sign him on loan: Kelleher may be allowed out by the Kop but they are likely to ask for cash and rate him in the £20million class.
At a price- they suggest of-£20 million he’s far and away the better option than bottom club Southampton’s keeper Aaron Ramsdale, at a similar fee. The Sun suggest:
Liverpool are ready to let him leave, having already completed a deal to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. While Kelleher is eager to leave Anfield to become a guaranteed starter elsewhere.”
Yes please. £20 million well spent.
Been saying this for months to go for Keleher. Would be perfect for us. We need a new number 1 as much as we need a new striker. Areola isn’t and never has been the answer. He should be right near the top of the list of priorities
Kelleher better than Ramdsale? I don’t think so
We have no legs in midfield, we have a creaking and aging forward line and the solution is…..of course to buy a new keeper! Holding midfielder, box to box midfielder, striker (who isn’t Callum Wilson or Calvert lewin) then a new centre half and KWP then look at a keeper but oh no not sulli and some of the fanbase who think a new goalkeeper is priority! What have you been watching?
If Fabianski leaves at the end of the season, which is likely, then signing a new keeper is absolutely a priority. The alternative is to have one Premier League standard keeper, which would be one injury away from a disaster.
Agreed, let’s get Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks for West Ham! Definitely seems well worth the money.