'Close...' - Sky Sports journalist breaks West Ham transfer development from the last 48 hours

Sky Sports international reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has now broke a big West Ham United story involving goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

Hammers boss David Moyes has been tipped with a pre-summer decision over whether to sign Areola on a permanent deal, triggering the clause in his loan, or to target another back-up to number one Lukasz Fabianski.

Links to the likes of West Brom shot stopper Sam Johnstone have been in no short supply as West Ham already start to gear up for the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

The east Londoners will be aiming to strengthen in many areas to back Moyes and ensure the Scotsman has what he needs to maintain West Ham’s remarkable rise in the last two years.

Breaking news in the last 48 hours, Di Marzio of Sky now says that West Ham are ‘close‘ to agreeing a deal to sign Areola permanently from Paris-Saint Germain with their decision seemingly made.

The Italian journalist adds that Moyes’ side have been ‘convinced‘ to activate his purchase option and the Frenchman ‘will remain‘ in England beyond 2021/2022.

While Areola’s appearances in the league have been almost non-existent, the 29-year-old has proven a more-than capable alternative to Fabianski in the cup competitions.

The former Fulham man seriously impressed during West Ham’s unprecedented run to the Europa League semi-finals, particularly against Sevilla in the round of 16 with his ‘world class’ and ‘unbelievable’ heroics (Toby Cudworth).

Indeed, snapping up Areola on a permanent fee nice and early will certainly be the right move.

In other news: Moyes very likely to make major bid for ‘world class’ player after claim he ‘likes’ West Ham! Find out more here.

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