Alphonse Areola will likely be looking for a new team this summer after his loan spell with Real Madrid concludes and he returns to Paris Saint-Germain.
According to L’Equipe, Areola played well under Zinedine Zidane but with no option to buy and a plethora of young goalkeepers in the waiting, Real Madrid simply has no use for the 27-year-old shot-stopper.
With PSG set at goalkeeper with Keylor Navas and eyeing a move for Andre Onana this summer as his backup/eventual successor, Areola is suddenly the odd man out and despite a contract with PSG that runs until 2023, it’s probably wise for him to move on.
The report from the French publication revealed that the player and his wife would prefer a transfer to a London-based club where he would be the number one starter as he looks to fight for a place on the France national team for next year’s UEFA European Championship.
So, which London clubs make the most sense for Areola? With playing time a priority, several of the notable teams probably would pass on him as they’re already set at the goalkeeper position. This would include Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and Tottenham Hotspur.
If Areola wants to remain in the Premier League, West Ham is likely his best option but only if they remain outside of the relegation zone (currently 16th but level on points with 18th place Bournemouth).
Łukasz Fabiański has made 16 appearances this season for the Hammers and ranks near the bottom in total clean sheets (4) and the club has allowed the fourth-most goals this season in the Premier League with 50.
Areola should be able to improve those numbers and if it’s London that he wants, it doesn’t get much better than playing in London Stadium during every home game.
Another dark horse option could be Fulham FC who currently play in the EFL Championship. The Cottagers are in third place in the table and if they don’t achieve automatic promotion, they would have to win the playoff to reach the Premier League. If they do so, they may want to spend some of their newfound riches on a new goalkeeper with experience at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @PSGTalk where you think Areola will be playing next season.
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