Soccer Football - Europa League - Round of 16 Second Leg - West Ham United v Sevilla - London Stadium, London, Britain - March 17, 2022 West Ham United's Alphonse Areola celebrates their second goal scored by Andriy Yarmolenko Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Newcastle United are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to a report from RMC Sport (via Sport Witness).Â
The lowdown: Career so far
Areola has enjoyed an illustrious career to date having spent time at Real Madrid and Villarreal on loan from the French giants.
More recently, the 29-year-old spent a season at Fulham before joining West Ham last term, where there is an option to buy this summer for a reported £11million.
Now, the Magpies have seemingly set their own sights on Areola as Eddie Howe looks to bolster the goalkeeping department at St James’ Park…
The latest: Newcastle interested
As per RMC Sport, translated by SW, Newcastle have now acted to ‘get the ball rolling’ in their own move for the stopper.
It’s claimed that PSG ‘want to part ways’ with the three-cap France international this summer and therefore the interest from the North East is likely to be welcomed as West Ham dally on their decision. The Hammers are however still considered favourites.
Under contract in France until 2023 (Transfermarkt), the Frenchman was hailed for an ‘absolutely phenomenal’ display against Manchester City by Football Insider journalist Pranav Shahaney last October, during which Areola made seven saves and one clearance in a 7.70 Sofascore-rated outing.
The verdict: No brainer
Following two consecutive injury-hit campaigns for first-choice Toon gloveman Martin Dubravka and the subsequent struggles of Karl Darlow as cover, it’s no surprise that Howe would be looking to fix the goalkeeper dilemma once and for all.
Despite being unable to usurp Lukasz Fabianski at West Ham last term, the 6 foot 4 ‘keeper still managed to impress in 18 outings across all competitions and was the number one for a Europa League adventure that saw the Londoners reach the semi-final of a major tournament.
Having ended the 2020/21 season with the fifth most saves in the Premier League, the World Cup winner and veteran of 283 senior career appearances has already proven his worth in the English top-flight and would be the ideal candidate to strengthen the ranks at Newcastle.
This would be a sensational capture for Howe and indeed newly appointed Sporting Director Dan Ashworth, especially as it would be a deal completed under the nose of a direct domestic rival.
In other news, this maestro is willing to bide his time in order to seal a Newcastle move
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