Fabrizio Romano: West Ham in hunt to sign 22y/o German player
Today at 12:09 PM
West Ham United reportedly sent scouts to watch Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 22-year-old has been in fantastic form recently since taking the starting berth back from the more experienced Florian Muller.
Atubolu became the first-choice last season and showed glimpses of his talent, but there were also massive signs of immaturity and inexperience in his game.
He managed to keep ten clean sheets in 34 games, but his -6.8 goals prevented was not encouraging. However, the German under-21 international has improved by leaps and bounds this season.
Atubolu has been phenomenal, keeping shut-outs against Werder Bremen, Union Berlin, Mainz 05, and Heidenheim.
Even when they conceded twice as they beat Wolfsburg 3-2, Atubolu was the hero of the day, making saves to earn his side three crucial points to take them up to fifth position and receiving rave reviews from manager Julian Schuster.
The Hammers know all about his quality. They faced him twice last term in the Europa League, and he was fantastic in the first leg as the Germans claimed a 1-0 win, making four saves inside the box.
West Ham could use those heroic performances, with Alphonse Areola being the worst goalkeeper in the league statistically. Areola’s goals-prevented number stands at an appalling -4.56 after only eight games.
Lukasz Fabianski has taken the reins between the sticks, but at 39, being the oldest footballer in the English top flight, West Ham need a successor, and Atubolu looks like a worthy replacement.
West Ham Should Consider Other Options – View
While Atubolu can develop into a fine goalkeeper, other readily available shot-stoppers can take the mantle next season if the Hammers offload Areola.
OGC Nice’s Marcin Bulka has been arguably the best keeper in France for the past two seasons and is ready to prove his mettle in the Premier League.
Besides having a rapport with West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo, he is also homegrown, having come through the Chelsea youth ranks.
He has taken the reins for the Poland national team, usurping Fabianski and could be the man to replace him at club level.
