West Ham United ace Alphonse Areola is set to be a 'main target' for Fulham if the Hammers decide against making his loan switch permanent, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Areola joined the east Londoners last summer, with him making the season-long move from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, but the agreement includes the option of West Ham keeping the goalkeeper on their books permanently.
What's the latest news involving Areola?
According to 90min, West Ham's hopes of seeing Areola remain at the London Stadium beyond the end of the campaign could be scuppered due to Fulham raising an interest.
The report suggests the Hammers could purchase the 2018 World Cup winner for £11million at the end of the campaign but the Cottagers are looking to pounce due to him being unable to dislodge Lukasz Fabianski as the club's number one goalkeeper.
A move to Fulham would see Areola return to Craven Cottage having spent the 2020/21 season on loan there.
Although the west Londoners are currently in the Championship, they seem destined to return to the Premier League due to being clear at the division's summit.
While Areola was originally signed by West Ham with the intention of him becoming their first-choice shot-stopper when Fabianski's contract runs out in the summer, the Pole is understood to have been in discussions over extending his stay at the London Stadium.
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What has Dean Jones said about Areola?
Jones understands that Fulham will prioritise drafting in a new goalkeeper when the window reopens.
The journalist believes Areola is top of Cottagers boss Marco Silva's list of targets and the current Championship outfit will pounce if West Ham fail to keep him permanently.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I know that Fulham's main target will be Areola if they are to sign a goalkeeper, which they will because a goalkeeper is their priority.
"They're just waiting to see if West Ham take up the option on Areola."
Should West Ham keep Areola permanently?
West Ham boss David Moyes revealed in December that he sees a 'long-term future' for Areola at the club, so it appears he has been keen to make the move permanent even though he has failed to overcome Fabianski in the fight for the number one jersey.
Although the 6 ft 5 colossus has been restricted to just one Premier League appearance this season, he has played a key role in the Hammers' run to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Areola, a three-cap France international, pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri in the second leg of West Ham's last-16 tie and it proved crucial as the east Londoners went on to seal an extra-time victory.
The 29-year-old has kept seven clean sheets for the Hammers and shown he is more than capable of eventually replacing Fabianski between the sticks, so Moyes would be wise to exercise the permanent option in Areola's deal.