According to Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad, there has been a transfer update out of West Ham United involving KV Mechelen goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke.
The Lowdown: West Ham eyeing new shot stopper?
Despite possessing an option to buy Alphonse Areola from Paris-Saint Germain, who is currently on loan at the London Stadium, West Ham and manager David Moyes have been tipped to bolster their goalkeeping department.
The most prevalent link appears to be to West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone with the Englishman running out of contract at the Hawthorns and set to leave as a free agent later this year.
However, as some news comes out of the continent, it appears Moyes and co are also weighing some low profile options.
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The Latest: Coucke open to joining as West Ham eye move…
As per Nieuwsblad, KV Mechelen’s colossal 6 foot 2 shot stopper Coucke is on West Ham’s radar as they enter the fray to sign him alongside Reims and Torino.
The 24-year-old’s deal expires in 2023 with his club eager to extend, but Coucke himself knows this could destroy the chance of an ‘attractive transfer’ to West Ham or any of the aforementioned teams.
As such, Mechelen’s number one is ‘interested’ in joining the Irons, Torino or Reims as he eyes more call-ups to the Belgium national team – with his first and only one coming back in 2020.
The Verdict: Get it done?
Areola’s lack of game time overall backs that Lukasz Fabianski is mostly an touchable in Moyes’ starting eleven so signing an astutely cheap back-up could be the way forward.
Valued at around €750,000 (£628,000), West Ham could sign a bargain capable number two for Fabianski considering Coucke is still young and has proved capable going by his one-time nod for the Red Devils international squad.
In other news: Chief sports writer: West Ham enter talks to sign ‘out of the ordinary’ £22.5m-rated star for Moyes, find out more here.
