Santiago Beltrán could solve West Ham's goalkeeping crisis

Mads Hermansen is becoming a figure of fun for West Ham United fans right now. There was even an online game called Beat Hermansen made to ridicule the goalkeeper. In the game, you are guaranteed to score, as the Hermansen figure does not save anything.

West Ham fans have never taken to Hermansen since he arrived at the club, just after Leicester City was relegated from the Premier League. He suffered the same fate with the Hammers, and this season in the Championship, he has conceded 23 goals in just 15 games.

Some Hammers fans were optimistic that Scott Parker would play Alphonse Areola instead of Hermansen. Areola was Parker's keeper at Fulham, but Hermansen still played in the new head coach's two games in charge so far.

Despite his poor form for West Ham, Hermansen has still been called up to the Denmark squad. There, he is competing with Filip Jörgensen of Strasbourg for a starting spot. West Ham's other keeper, Finnlay Herrick, is in the England Under-20 squad. However, he has only featured in two EFL Cup games this campaign. Areola has not been part of a France squad since 2024.

Signing a new goalkeeper is one of the many areas where West Ham needs to strengthen in January. There has recently been talk of Aaron Ramsdale joining from Southampton. Ramsdale has been frozen out at St. Mary's this campaign, but it remains to be seen whether the Saints would sell to a Championship rival.

West Ham are now being linked with Santiago Beltrán of River Plate. TyC Sports has reported (translated from Spanish), "He has attracted interest from West Ham—currently in the English second division—and from Atlético de Madrid, which is seeking a replacement in light of the potential departure of Jan Oblak to the Saudi league." He has also been linked with Flamengo and Juventus recently.

Beltrán has burst onto the scene for River this season, playing 45 times and conceding just 36 goals. He also made his international debut for Argentina in a friendly against Honduras in June. The keeper might get more minutes for Lionel Scaloni's side in upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Uruguay.

West Ham would offer Beltrán immediate first-team football. Playing in the Championship will not be such an attractive option for the keeper; playing at Atlético would be far more glamorous. However, he would have big boots to fill if he is to be Oblak's replacement. Brazilian giants Flamengo and Juventus of Serie A would also appear to be more attractive options for Beltrán.

Taty Castellanos has also recently been linked with going the other way from West Ham to River. Therefore, Beltrán could be part of a swap deal with Castellanos. The Hammers have a history of signing great Argentine players, including Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, and Manuel Lanzini. Beltrán could be the next player from Argentina to become a West Ham hero.