Update on West Ham signing ‘top-class’ Areola impresses Robinson
West Ham are closing in on the signing of a potentially ‘top-class goalkeeper’ in Paris Saint-Germain’s Alphonse Areola, according to Paul Robinson.
The former Spurs and England number one, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, heaped praise on the 28-year-old who “had a great season” while on loan at Fulham in 2020-21.
Areola appears surplus to requirements in the French capital after PSG completed the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma on a five-year deal.
According to the Evening Standard (14th July), the Hammers are closing in on the signing of Areola after being put off by Sam Johnstone’s £10million price tag.
Areola has two years remaining on his contract in Paris.
Robinson suggested the French goalkeeper will provide good competition for current number one Lukasz Fabianski.
“Areola is a goalkeeper that I like, a goalkeeper that I really rate,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“Now that Donnarumma has signed for PSG he has fallen further down the ladder there.
“I think he had a great season for Fulham last year even though they got relegated. His career stalled a little bit because of a lack of game time and a lack of opportunities.
“I watched him closely when he was a young goalkeeper and I knew that he would come into the international scene. There is still much more to come from him.
“We saw flashes at Fulham and I think he will push on from there. I think he will be develop into a top-class goalkeeper over the next couple of seasons.
“I think it would be a very shrewd signing if West Ham are able to get that done.”
In other news, Paddy Kenny fumes at newspaper’s £35million West Ham reveal.