West Ham are in talks to sign free agent on July 1 but have other targets too claims a confidant of majority owner David Sullivan.
West Ham are closing in on the exciting capture of Brazilian midfield sensation Luis Guilherme.
Amid that and all the talk of moves for a host of strikers, attackers and defenders, it’s easy to lose sight of one key area which also needs strengthening.
The goalkeeping department.
New head coach Julen Lopetegui has a massive task on his hands to reshape a threadbare Hammers squad comprising just 17 senior players.
West Ham essentially need reinforcements in almost every area of the pitch and the need for a new goalkeeper should not be underestimated.
You can bet your bottom dollar Lopetegui will be taking it seriously too given he used to be a goalkeeper himself.
West Ham are fortunate to have top quality top one and two in Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski.
Hammers on hunt for new goalkeeper
But both have missed spells through injury which left completely untested Joseph Anang one injury or suspension away from being thrust in at the deep end last season.
That exposed the lack of experience in depth at West Ham since Darren Randolph and Dave Martin left the club.
Anang has now been released too. So it’s clear to see how important it is the Hammers bring in at least one experienced goalkeeper to compete with Fabianski for the back-up slot.
There’s some good news on that front from a source close to majority owner David Sullivan.
Because West Ham are in talks to sign a free agent on July 1 but have other targets too.
West Ham in talks for Foderingham but have other targets too
The Hammers have been in talks to sign free agent English goalkeeper Wes Foderingham – a move we reported on a few weeks ago.
Now club insider Sean Whetstone has confirmed Foderingham is still very much in the mix to sign for West Ham despite some reports to the contrary.
But he is not the club’s only goalkeeping target, says Whetstone.
“Wes Foderingham who will be released by Sheffield United at end of June is just one of several keepers being considered as West Ham’s third choice keeper to replace Joseph Anang who will be released at the end of his month,” Whetstone said.
“Foderingham is on a short list but “all balls are up in the air” when it comes to which keeper West Ham will eventually sign on 1 July.”
Could Carlos Miguel be other West Ham target?
Could one of the other goalkeepers being considered be Brazilian Carlos Miguel?
Over the weekend there was claim and counter claim from South America regarding West Ham trying to sign the Corinthians goalkeeper.
UOL reported that West Ham were trying to hijack Nottingham Forest’s £3m move for the 25-year-old.
Hammers News reported that a name well known to West Ham fans – Kia Joorabchian – was involved in the talks regarding a deal for Miguel.
Joorabchian was also reportedly key in getting West Ham’s £25m move for Guilherme over the line.
Reports suggested Forest were going to win the race for Miguel. But since then it has been claimed the Trees can’t sign him until they get Premier League clearance due to their PSR position.
What must come into consideration for the Hammers is the fact Foderingham would – crucially – tick the homegrown player box for West Ham whereas Miguel would not.