West Ham can decide to replace regular starter in January

West Ham have been linked with making a priority move for to bring a new centre forward in the January transfer window following the Hammers struggles with goalscoring at the beginning of the season. However the massive 4-1 win has uplifted the momentum of several star forwards in Julen Lopetegui's side and West Ham might not need to sign a new striker, if they continue their impressive form after the international break. Still there is one position where West Ham can think about making reinforcements in the January transfer window.

31-year-old France international Alphonse Areola is the regular starting goalkeeper at the club and since last season, has established himself as the first choice keeper ahead of Lukasz Fabianski and Wes Foderingham. The former Paris Saint-Germain has made a lot of impressive saves for West Ham over the previous three seasons, but his distribution hasn't been one of his strengths. Recently, West Ham legend Tony Cottee analysed Areola's stay at West Ham but highlighted his passing and distribution as an issue while trying to start the build up play from the defence.

West Ham can decide to replace regular starter in January

Moreover in manager Julen Lopetegui's possession based tactical setup, the importance of a good ball playing goalkeeper increases, an area where West Ham currently don't have many options. Lukasz Fabianski is decent with his distribution but unlike Areola, isn't comfortable while making world class saves from inside the box. Further Areola will turn 32-years-old at the end of this season, thus West Ham will need to find a long-term number one at the club either in January or in the next summer transfer window.

Speaking about good goalkeeping options, Cottee suggested that West Ham should have tried to sign England international Aaron Ramsdale, who recently joined Southampton for £25 million. Other top options on the market include Chelsea's on-loan star Dorde Petrovic, Leicester City's Mads Hermansen and Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow. While West Ham may have to spend significant transfer fees on signing Petrovic and Hermansen, the Hammers can try to sign Bijlow in January, who was very close to joining Southampton before the Saints finalized the signing of Ramsdale instead.

Now it remains to be seen whether Areola can improve his passing and distribution in the ongoing season or the Hammers decide to bring in a new long-term goalkeeper in the January transfer window.