West Ham United are now readying a move for an “incredible” goalkeeper, amid a new update on Alphonse Areola’s future at the London Stadium.
West Ham aiming to sign goalkeeper before transfer deadline
It has been a busy month for West Ham, but there is still work to do before the February 2nd transfer deadline, with Nuno looking to sign a new goalkeeper, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Antonin Kinsky has emerged as a major target.
In fact, yesterday it emerged that personal terms have been agreed with the Czech goalkeeper, who is pushing hard to join the Hammers, given that game time has been hard to come by at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.
However, getting a deal for Kinsky over the line relies upon Tottenham bringing in a replacement, and they are yet to do so, despite identifying Mads Hermansen as a potential target, with the Dane starting just four Premier League games for the Irons this season.
Hermansen lost his place in the starting XI following the 3-0 defeat against Spurs back in September, with Areola being given the nod, but Nuno’s side are now looking to bring in a new goalkeeper, amid a fresh update on the Frenchman’s future.
According to a report from West Ham Zone, West Ham are now readying a move for Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega, and they are set to pursue the goalkeeper if they are unable to agree a deal for Kinsky.
With Areola’s move to Besiktas accelerating, the Hammers need to bring in a replacement before February 2nd, and Ortega has emerged as an option, with the German behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.
At the moment, a deal for Kinsky is still more likely, but the Irons have now set their sights on a number of alternative options, with Spurs yet to bring in adequate cover for the 22-year-old.
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“Incredible” Ortega could be solid Areola replacement
It would be disappointing if Areola were to move on this month, given that the 32-year-old has largely been reliable when called upon in recent weeks, making five saves to keep Tottenham at bay in the 2-1 victory earlier this month.
However, the Man City goalkeeper could be a solid replacement, receiving plaudits from Pep Guardiola after a top display against Spurs in the 2023-24 campaign, with the Spaniard saying: “He has done this since he arrived. We saw the level of keeper he is. He makes incredible saves and does it so many times.”
The 33-year-old’s lack of game time may be a slight concern, having failed to make a single appearance in any competition this season, but he does have plenty of Premier League experience, and made nine appearances en-route to City winning the title in the 2023-24 season.
As such, Ortega, who rakes in £90k-a-week, could be a solid signing for West Ham, but there is little reason to replace Areola.
