The Evening Standard’s Jack Rosser believes that a loan move with an option to buy for Alphonse Areola would be West Ham’s preferred option this summer.

Areola spent last season in London on loan at Fulham, making 37 appearances in all competitions for the Cottagers and kept ten clean sheets.

The French shot-stopper isn’t the only goalkeeper the Hammers have looked at, as according to ESPN they have been linked with a move for West Bromwich Albion’s Sam Johnstone.

However, Rosser believes that Areola is the preferred choice because he would likely be cheaper, telling TT: “I think a loan for Areola with an option to buy would be the preference, but that one seems to be taking a little bit longer than anyone expected. I think he’d be a fantastic option.”

Areola has an impressive CV that features the likes of Real Madrid, Villarreal and RC Lens on there, and after his parent club PSG concluded a deal for Italian goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma, Areola may find himself short of game time in the French capital if he chooses to stay there beyond the summer.

After an impressive campaign in the Premier League last season, where the Hammers finished sixth, David Moyes will be hoping to strengthen his squad this summer to help West Ham mount another charge on the top four next season.