West Ham could complete move for £11m star 'within next week' at London Stadium

West Ham could complete the permanent signing of Alphonse Areola “within the next week”, according to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Areola spent last season on loan at the London Stadium, and he is now expected to put pen to paper on a long-term contract at the club.

After spending the previous campaign at Fulham, Areola decided to extend his stay in London by signing for West Ham on a temporary basis last summer.

He found himself behind Lukasz Fabianski in the pecking order when the side were in league action as he was restricted to just a single top-flight appearance.

However, Areola did take the gloves in cup competitions, and ended up playing in 17 matches for David Moyes’s side.

In these games, he only conceded 15 goals, and managed to keep eight clean sheets as he played his part in West Ham’s run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

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According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Areola has an £11m clause in his contract which West Ham can trigger if they want to sign him permanently.

Taylor expects them to do this, and feels the deal will be finalised in the near future, which will make him the club’s second signing after they recently brought in Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Taylor said: “I expect them to trigger the release clause of Alphonse Areola in the coming weeks. I think that deal could be wrapped up within the next week. Obviously, Newcastle had a look, but Nick Pope’s had a medical at Newcastle today.”

Fabianski has done very little wrong during his four years at West Ham; hence why Moyes stood by him throughout last season.

However, the Poland international is now 37, and coming towards the end of