West Ham fans react to Alphonse Areola transfer

West Ham sealed a deal for Alphonse Areola on Thursday afternoon after a long-standing interest in the goalkeeper.

Areola has joined the Hammers on an initial season-long loan with the club having an option to buy the 28-year-old next summer.

If Areola displaces Lukasz Fabianski as the number one at West Ham and starts an as yet unspecified number of games, the Hammers will be obliged to sign the Frenchman for a fee in the region of £12 million.

West Ham transfer activity up until the arrival of Areola was confined to bringing in three talented teenagers, despite their promise the Hammers faithful were desperate for a big name signing.

World Cup winner Areola is exactly that and the West Ham supporters are delighted with their new number 13.