Areola In Goala-Irons 1st Proper Signing

West Ham have completed the loan signing of outstanding 28 year old goal keeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. The France international joins the Irons on an initial season-long deal, with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2022. Areola has made more than 250 career appearances for PSG and Real Madrid, winning four Ligue 1 and La Liga titles.

Hammers fans will be well versed with Areola's exploits from during the time he spent on loan last season with Fulham, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award. On the two occasions he faced West Ham he put in resolute performances, only being let down by the porous defence he had in front of him.

Although fans are rightly concerned about the club's need to sign a much needed striker, the arrival of Areola is a refreshing upgrade from some of the club's previous signings and hopefully represents a new direction in player acquisitions. Hammers performances last season were noticed far and wide, ultimately leading to the club being viewed as a much more desirable destination than it had been in the past, with the presence of David Moyes galvanising positive opinions about the future.

Arerola's arrival obviously kicks the Johnstone from West Brom speculation into touch, the terms were favourable as well, as West Ham seek to spread their meagre budget as widely as is possible. Being a loan deal does save money initially and gives the player and club a season to get to know each other, but it does mean there is only room for one other loan player.

Now Areola has arrived, it is easier to assess the Lukasz Fabianski in goal situation with more clarity, 'Fab' has been a great servant to the club, but at approaching 37 years of age probably only has one more season in the top flight left in the tank at the most. Eagle eyed fans will have spotted Fabianski's reticence to kick the ball, favouring long throws now, this must surely be as a result of the thigh injury he sustained last season in addition to the one he sustained the season before.

The point is Fab isn't getting any younger and his fitness is of an increasing concern, his current back up, Darren Randolph, has his own injury problems and is no spring chicken at 34 years old. Nathan Trott has been sent out on a season's loan, ironically to a French club, in order to gain first team experience, on his return he will probably become the number two keeper with both Fabianski and Randolph being moved on, or in Fab's case probably retire.

The late and great Brian Clough always said that you need to build a team from the back, starting with the best keeper you can afford, well it may be a loan to buy deal, but we think it is a damn good start and IF the next new singing(s) are of the same calibre, we will be happy! - EdAreola In Goala-Irons 1st Proper Signing

West Ham United have completed the loan signing of outstanding 28 year old goal keeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. The France international joins the Irons on an initial season-long deal, with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2022. Areola has made more than 250 career appearances for PSG and Real Madrid, winning four Ligue 1 and La Liga titles.
Hammers fans will be well versed with Areola's exploits from during the time he spent on loan last season with Fulham, where he won the club’s Player of the Year award. On the two occasions he faced West Ham he put in resolute performances, only being let down by the porous defence he had in front of him.

Although fans are rightly concerned about the club's need to sign a much needed striker, the arrival of Areola is a refreshing upgrade from some of the club's previous signings and hopefully represents a new direction in player acquisitions. Hammers performances last season were noticed far and wide, ultimately leading to the club being viewed as a much more desirable destination than it had been in the past, with the presence of David Moyes galvanising positive opinions about the future.

Arerola's arrival obviously kicks the Johnstone from West Brom speculation into touch, the terms were favourable as well, as West Ham seek to spread their meagre budget as widely as is possible. Being a loan deal does save money initially and gives the player and club a season to get to know each other, but it does mean there is only room for one other loan player.

Now Areola has arrived, it is easier to assess the Lukasz Fabianski in goal situation with more clarity, 'Fab' has been a great servant to the club, but at 37 years old probably only has one more season in the top flight left in the tank at the most. Eagle eyed fans will have spotted Fabianski's reticence to kick the ball, favouring long throws now, this must surely be as a result of the thigh injury he sustained last season in addition to the one he sustained the season before.

The point is Fab isn't getting any younger and his fitness is of an increasing concern, his current back up, Darren Randolph, has his own injury problems and is no spring chicken at 34 years old. Nathan Trott has been sent out on a season's loan, ironically to a French club, in order to gain first team experience, on his return he will probably become the number two keeper with both Fabianski and Randolph being moved on, or in Fab's case probably retire.

The late and great Brian Clough always said that you need to build a team from the back, starting with the best keeper you can afford, well it may be a loan to buy deal, but we think it is a damn good start and IF the next new singing(s) are of the same calibre, we will be happy! - Ed