West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola produced a world-class save in the Europa League win over Sevilla when the Hammers were trailing on aggregate.
The save gave the Hammers the platform to get back in the game and secure the famous victory highlighting Areola’s worth .
The stopper on loan from Paris Saint-Germain could stay in East London beyond this season if West Ham take up one of the two choices they have to keep him.
Alphonse Areola could continue at West Ham next season providing manager David Moyes takes up one of the two options on the table.
Firstly, Areola can stay a West Ham player if the club choose to buy him permanently from PSG.
The Athletic report that a deal is available and the fee would be £11 million.
However, there is also another way to keep the 29-year-old at London Stadium.
They can do this by choosing to activate another clause in his contract that would mean Areola spends another season on loan at West Ham once the current campaign ends.
Either would be a smart move by West Ham. Areola has been a reliable understudy to the experienced first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski this season and he is seven years younger than the ex-Polish international.
Responding to the extra competition Areola provides, Fabianski has performed well this season and despite his age at nearly 37, he can still perform at the highest level.
However, Fabianski will not last forever, his form will eventually dip and keeping a top quality keeper at the club to replace the current number one would be great business.
Although, West Ham remain keen on West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who is available on a free transfer this summer. But currently most Hammers fans prefer holding on to Areola who has already settled at the club and is believed to have a great attitude.
The battle between who is better between Fabianski, Areola and maybe even Johnstone will continue, West Ham have a decision to make at the end of this season.
He isn’t the only player David Moyes needs to make a choice on with multiple players out of contract in June.