Terms Agreed: West Ham finalise second signing but Moyes may bench him - Sources
West Ham have agreed to sign goalkeeper Aphonse Areola on a loan-to-buy deal from Paris Saint-Germain, Football Insider has learned.
The 28-year-old is heading to the Londoners for a medical and to discuss personal terms as the club complete their second major summer signing.
But an Irons source has told Football Insider that Areola is not David Moyes' first choice recruit as he would have preferred to land West Brom's Sam Johnstone.
However, West Ham are strapped for cash and the club do not want to pay a big fee for a keeper this summer with Lukasz Fabianski still highly regarded.
The source explained that Fabianski, 36, is expected to start the season as number one and Areola is likely to have to bide his time on the bench to start with.
Moyes will be under no pressure to play the French goalkeeper as he is joining on an initial loan.
Football Insider revealed on 16 July that West Ham were in talks to sign Areola and that the player had his "heart set" on a move to the London Stadium.
The club also bid for Johnstone but West Brom knocked back an offer worth up to £11m.
Areola has been targeted as he is proven in the Premier League after his spell at Fulham last term, has excellent top-level experience and is available.
PSG's capture of Gianluigi Donnarumma earlier this month has pushed the Frenchman further down the pecking order at his parent club.
Areola will become West Ham's second senior signing of the summer following centre-back Craig Dawson.