---
title: "Reporter expects West Ham to sign Alphonse Areola and not Sam Johnstone"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/reporter-expects-west-ham-to-sign-alphonse-areola-and-not-sam-johnstone/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Danny Rust"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-07-16T06:20:46Z"
modified: "2021-07-16T06:20:46Z"
---

# Reporter expects West Ham to sign Alphonse Areola and not Sam Johnstone

**Sam Inkersole has revealed West Ham United are prioritising a deal for former Fulham loanee Alphonse Areola rather than continuing to pursue West Bromwich Albion shot-stopper Sam Johnstone.**

Hammers boss David Moyes is looking to draft in a new first-choice goalkeeper as Lukasz Fabianski enters the final year of his [£65,000-per-week](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/west-ham-united-fc/lukasz-fabianski-11965/) contract.

West Ham have been [strongly linked](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/west-ham-sam-johnstone-transfer-20728213) with making a move for Johnstone, who was one of England’s back-up goalkeepers during their run to the Euro 2020 final.

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However, it now appears Moyes has turned his attentions to Paris Saint-Germain and France custodian Areola, who made [37 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alphonse-areola/leistungsdaten/spieler/120629/plus/0?saison=2020) for Fulham last season.

Reports suggest West Ham are looking to negotiate a [season-long loan](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12355531/west-ham-transfer-news-hammers-in-talks-over-alphonse-areola-deal-with-paris-saint-germain) move with a view to a permanent transfer next summer, which would coincide with Fabianski’s time at the London Stadium coming to an end.

While [football.london](https://www.football.london/) reporter Inkersole feels it would be a shrewd piece of business, he fears it will be difficult to keep Areola and Fabianski happy.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Inkersole said: *“Lukasz Fabianski has not exactly been a terrible goalkeeper for West Ham. He’s only got one year left on his deal so maybe they are planning for the future.*

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*“Sam Johnstone is a homegrown player, which is dime a dozen in the transfer window. Clubs want to find homegrown players.*

*“But I think Areola looks like the one which is going to be more likely to get done. He’s a very good goalkeeper and it would be a very good move for West Ham but I would be interested to see how he dovetails with Fabianski and who plays when.”*