Alphonse Areola Signed

[swindon hammer]

"OS West Ham United sign World Cup-winning goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan West Ham United have completed the loan signing of 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. The 28-year-old France international joins the Irons on an initial season-long deal, with the option to make the transfer permanent in the summer of 2022. An outstanding goalkeeper, Areola has made more than 250 career appearances for the likes of PSG and Real Madrid, winning four Ligue 1 and La Liga titles and lifting a succession of other trophies. He spent last season with Fulham, where he excelled under former West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and won the club’s Player of the Year award. Now, he will continue his career in east London, and will provide top-class competition for the goalkeeping department as the Hammers prepare to challenge on four fronts. “I’m happy,” said Areola, who has exceptional athleticism for a man who stands 6’5 tall. “For me it was the best opportunity to sign for this Club, to sign for West Ham and to try my best to help the team. “London is a great place to live and to work as well, and obviously the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world so I really enjoyed it last season. It was tough for me and for the team, but I enjoyed playing in the Premier League. We were without the fans, but this year we will have the fans back so I can’t wait to see the atmosphere. “West Ham did a big season last year. Obviously we have the Europa League and the Premier League and the two cups, so it will be a tough season and a long season but I think we’re going to enjoy it all together. “We have really good squad. I watched games last season so I know the potential and the talent in this squad, so I can’t wait to start.” Manager David Moyes was happy to secure another player whose talent and quality will improve his West Ham United squad. “Alphonse is an experienced and talented goalkeeper who has played at the highest level and performed very well in the Premier League last season,"" he said. “As we prepare for a very busy schedule, he will provide fantastic competition for the goalkeepers already at the football club and we are going to need to use our squad to ensure compete to the best of our abilities across all competitions. “We have been aware of his qualities for a long time and we have no doubt he will be another player and character who will enhance our squad. We welcome Alphonse to West Ham United and look forward to working with him.”"

[Manuel]

"ED - It's a tricky one, as as you say it has to be someone decent, but if they are too decent they won't be happy sitting on the bench. Being a cսnt aside, Arnie was probably ideal back up?"

[Eerie Descent]

"‚öíÔ?è 10:48 Fri Jul 30 I don't think giving him the number 9 is proof, Benrahma had it last season."

[Eerie Descent]

"That's my thinking. The way we play under Moyes, Antonio is the perfect striker, but as we all know the problem is his injuries, we'd be very lucky to get 25 games out of him this season, which leaves about the same amount where we'll need someone to fill in, so it can't be just any old chump."

[⚒️]

Antonio’s taken the number 9 shirt. That tells me he’s the first choice going into the season. Any striker we sign is a back up.

[Manuel]

"ED - Could well be. To give that theory more weight Moyes only plays with one up, so if we bring in a top class first choice CF then what happens to Antonio? he won't be left out, which would mean he would drop in behind or out wide and we are well covered there is Pereira comes in."

[Eerie Descent]

"Manuel 7:20 Fri Jul 30 I reckon rather than sign a striker to go straight into the team, we'll sign back up to Antonio. Obviously it's not what we all want, but I reckon with our budget, which I reckon we all have an idea won't be massive, we'll sign someone like Sima, and have that player and Bowen as back up. Just my gut feeling."

[chim chim cha boo]

He sounds like the tits and I hope we see him in the cups.

[Haz]

"Lily Hammer 2:35 Fri Jul 30 Re: Alphonse Areola Signed Reasons to be cheerful. I rate him, but I’m sure he has his knockers, too. Very good, Lily."

[ironsofcanada]

"Very good signing, as much as you can know these things. Let's hope we have begun as we mean to go on."

[Coffee]

Alfs I guess a lot depends on Rice in determining the budget at our disposal. A replacement for him plus two decent strikers.

[Manuel]

"Alfs - I'm hoping we will give the EL our best shot, as if not the question then is what is the point in fighting to even get into it? We simply have to sign a striker, and can't believe we won't. Agree that ideally we need 2, but can't see it somehow. I was hoping we would spend net circa 60 mil, but I suspect now it will be around the 30-40 mil mark, max."

[Alfs]

"I know what you mean, Manuel. Signing a new goalie seldomly inspires. But look at how many points that dipstick, Roberto cost us. Hopefully, it's the first of two or three more. A striker is imperative. Two even. No way will Antonio go injury-free, and he certainly can't play in both the Prem and Europe. In reality, to compete on both fronts we'd need to spend 100 mill plus, My feeling is that we'll play the European games with a mix of kids and fringe players and get another humiliating exit."

[Manuel]

"It's funny I think if we had signed Areola after signing a couple of outfield players it would feel better, but after waiting a while and then your first signing is likely to be a back up keeper, it feels a bit meh. I suppose the obvious question is will he be just back up? Most likely at the start of the season, but then how poor would Fab have to be to be dropped, and would Moyes have the balls to do it? Or is Areola here just for the cups, barring a big dip in form from Fab?"

[Manuel]

"It's funny I think if we had signed Areola after signing a couple of outfield players it would feel better, but after waiting a while and then your first signing is likely to be a back up keeper, it feels a bit meh. I suppose the obvious question is will he be just back up? Most likely at the start of the season, but then how poor would Fab have to be to be dropped, and would Moyes have the balls to do it? Or is Areola here just for the cups, barring a big dip in form from Fab?"

[nychammer]

sounds like a decent signing to me. let's hope he does good and stays and we don't end up loaning him out to Bristol City :)

[Lily Hammer]

"This is a decent signing. He has the potential to be a great for us. You never know with keepers; the best can lose their mojo overnight. Reasons to be cheerful. I rate him, but I’m sure he has his knockers, too."

[Alfs]

"Browno22 10:06 Thu Jul 29 A loan with an option to buy is an excellent outcome. If he's shit we send him back, if he's brilliant we take up the option and pay the pre-agreed price. What's not to like?"

[Electric Retro-pants]

The Dildos have now proven that they prefer some areola to a johnson...I guess that'll be them transferable skills.

[Billy Cribbens]

Best signing in living mammary.

[Sydney_Iron]

"Sounds from comments that this is a good bit of Business, saw a few games featuring Fulham last season but dont remember him for anything outstanding, but im not a goalie watcher! Hopefully this will just be the start of our business this window, feel happier once we have that elusive striker in more than anything though."

[Texas Iron]

Seen him often for Fulham... Excellent value and hopefully will continue to improve. Well done Hammers ... ?ü§†?ü§†?ü§†?ü§†

[Mex Martillo]

"Excellent I don’t remember anything about him, but sounds good to me!"

[Eerie Descent]

Athletico Easthamico 10:10 Thu Jul 29 He needs to be better than both to compete with Fabianski. Let's hope that's the case.

[Athletico Easthamico]

Hope he turns out as good as Parkes Ludo and Green. Every top team needs a top keeper. High hopes for this bloke.

[Browno22]

Fab has been one of best keepers. He is 37 next year and I think it's quite a shewd signing despite my hatred for the board. I'm just sceptical that everything is just a loan to buy now. They have made countless millions out of this club and still don't want to push to the next level. I really wanted Joachim Anderson but we seem to be behind Palace in ambition