West Ham: 6'5 Irons star now 'main target' for London rivals

West Ham United ace Alphonse Areola is set to be a ‘main target’ for Fulham if the Hammers decide against making his loan switch permanent, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Areola joined the east Londoners last summer, with him making the season-long move from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, but the agreement includes the option of West Ham keeping the goalkeeper on their books permanently.

According to 90min, West Ham’s hopes of seeing Areola remain at the London Stadium beyond the end of the campaign could be scuppered due to Fulham raising an interest.

The report suggests the Hammers could purchase the 2018 World Cup winner for £11million at the end of the campaign but the Cottagers are looking to pounce due to him being unable to dislodge Lukasz Fabianski as the club’s number one goalkeeper.

A move to Fulham would see Areola return to Craven Cottage having spent the 2020/21 season on loan there.

Although the west Londoners are currently in the Championship, they seem destined to return to the Premier League due to being clear at the division’s summit.

While Areola was originally signed by West Ham with the intention of him becoming their first-choice shot-stopper when Fabianski’s contract runs out in the summer, the Pole is understood to have been in discussions over extending his stay at the London Stadium.

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Jones understands that Fulham will prioritise drafting in a new goalkeeper when the window reopens.

The journalist believes Areola is top of Cottagers boss Marco Silva’s list of targets and the current Championship outfit will pounce if West Ham fail to keep him permanently.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I know that Fulham’s main target