According to reports in The Express, West Ham United manager David Moyes is keeping tabs on FC Twente goalkeeper Joel Drommel ahead of a potential summer move, and he could be Joe Hart’s replacement at the London Stadium.
What’s the word, then?
Well, reliable Irons insider @ExWHUemployee recently confirmed that the club won’t be signing Hart on a permanent basis in the summer following his disappointing eason-long loan spell from Manchester City, with the England international becoming their second-choice stopper behind Adrian ever since the 4-0 defeat against Everton in November.
With the Hammers being knocked out of the FA Cup last month the 30-year-old may not play for the club again unless the Spaniard gets injured or loses form, and Moyes is obviously already looking for potential new keepers to challenge Adrian next season.
The Express says that the Scottish boss is already eyeing up young talent from the continent, and 21-year-old stopper Drommel is one of those on his list of targets.
How has Drommel done this season?
He has done well.
The Netherlands U21 international started the campaign on the bench for Twente and was only really appearing in the cup competitions, but he was handed a start in the Eredivisie on December 12 and has played nine straight Dutch top flight games since then.
The 21-year-old has kept one clean sheet and conceded 13 goals during that period.
Would he be a good signing for West Ham?
It’s difficult to say.
The 21-year-old must be highly-rated to be playing for his country at that age group and as a number one for one of the top clubs in the Eredivisie, but his overall record for them is a worrying 48 goals conceded in 24 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.
That would perhaps be a worry, but Drommel is young and has plenty to learn, and could provide some stiff competition for Adrian.
The problem for the Irons – and any other club really – is that someone like Hart won’t be willing to sit on the substitutes’ bench, and Moyes may have to look to a talented youngster like the Dutch stopper who would probably be happy to just be part of the squad for a Premier League club if Adrian is to keep his place between the sticks.
