West Ham United dealt blow in chase for Ian Maatsen as Chelsea trigger clause to extend deal
West Ham have been dealt a major blow in their hunt to sign Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen after they triggered an extension clause in his contract, report Evening Standard.
Writing on their official website (19 October), the news outlet report that the Blues “quietly” activated the clause in the Dutch left-back’s deal to extend his contract by a further 12 months until June 2025.
West Ham had been keen to sign him in January to provide competition for Emerson Palmieri at the London Stadium, but now face paying a “substantial fee” to get it over the line after this news.
“Chelsea have quietly activated an option to extend Ian Maatsen’s contract by a further year amid reported interest from Barcelona,” they wrote.
“The 21-year-old’s contract situation is attracting suitors but Chelsea have strengthened their position to extend his deal until 2025.
“Barcelona were keen to sign Maatsen on a free transfer, according to reports in Spain, and could have been able to negotiate the deal from January. But they now face paying a substantial fee, with competition coming from a growing list of Premier League clubs, including West Ham and Burnley.”
Blow
Emerson has been a fantastic signing for West Ham at left-back after he arrived from Stamford Bridge two summers ago, and has firmly ousted Aaron Cresswell from the position now.
The veteran defender was keen to leave in the summer and Maatsen was seen as an ideal alternative, with his ability to play all the way up the left-wing being a huge plus since Moyes likes to use a wing-back system sometimes.
But Chelsea know the quality of player they have at their disposal and don’t want to lose him for peanuts, so have bought themselves time by triggering this clause.
On top of that, they are offering him terms for a new longer deal and while he continues to reject those advances as he wants more regular football he’s now unable to talk to anyone else without Chelsea first granting permission.
West Ham could still come forward with a bid, but the way Chelsea have negotiated in recent windows it seems unlikely that it would be a cheap deal and the Hammers may have to wait it out a bit longer to get their man or pivot to new targets now.
In other West Ham news, Chelsea agreed terms to sign West Ham star in summer before London Stadium move.