The real reason Graham Potter wants to sign Mads Hermansen to replace Alphonse Areola at West Ham

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TBR Football understands that West Ham has opened talks with Leicester City over a deal for Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

We understand that Hermansen has made it clear to Leicester that he wants to return to the Premier League, and West Ham are now pushing for a deal.

Leicester have been asking around £25million for their Danish shot-stopper, but West Ham want to pay less.

West Ham have been considering several options to come in for their new number one, but their new goalkeeping coach Casper Ankergren has pushed he virtues of Hermansen, whom he has worked with previously.

Exclusive: Why does West Ham want Mads Hermansen?

Hermansen also suits the needs of Graham Potter, as TBR Football can reveal through chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.

Bailey states: “I am told from sources within the club that the main aspect of a new goalkeeper’s play was his footwork. Graham Potter wants his goalkeeper to be able to play from the back, and Hermansen excels at that.

“West Ham have decided to move for their new number one despite the fact that Alphonse Areola, one of the club’s higher earners, remains at the club – but Potter has insisted on a new starter in the nets.”

Hermansen, despite playing for a relegated Leicester City side, was impressive between the sticks last season, and Potter believes he’s an upgrade on the Frenchman.

How does Alphonse Areola compare to Mads Hermansen?

On paper, Hermansen does look the worse of the two, but it’s worth taking into account he was in a Foxes side that was woeful defensively last season.

And the determining factor, anyway, has nothing to do with hands, and more so feet, as appears to be the new norm for many teams nowadays in football.