West Ham United transfer news as Chelsea ‘determined’ to sell Ian Maatsen
West Ham United remain keen on signing Ian Maatsen and Chelsea are “determined” to sell the Dutch defender this January, according to Football London.
The outlet reported on its website (12 December) that Chelsea do not view the defender as a part of their plans moving forward and are desperate to move him away from Stamford Bridge in the new year, with the Irons still holding an interest.
Maatsen decided to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place during the summer transfer window, but the 21-year-old seems to have changed his mind and is now much more open to permanently moving away from Chelsea in search of regular first-team football.
West Ham are joined by Burnley and a host of other Premier League sides in holding an interest in the Dutch left-back and as he enters the final 18 months of his contract, the January window represents the last opportunity for Chelsea to secure a decent fee for his services.
Go and get him
A majority of West Ham United’s focus heading into the January transfer window will rightfully be directed at securing a new number nine, given the lack of consistency from Michail Antonio and Danny Ings at the top end of the pitch so far this season.
But that doesn’t mean that the Hammers should ignore the opportunity to strengthen other areas of their side and the chance to sign Maatsen is far too good to turn down. David Moyes isn’t blessed with depth at left-back and the Dutchman would quickly solve that issue.
During his time with Burnley in the Championship last season, the 21-year-old scored four goals and picked up six assists from left back. While he doesn’t have much experience in the Premier League he has more than enough talent to be a success in England’s top flight.
Hopefully, the fact that both Chelsea and Maatsen want a deal to be completed this January would make any potential deal much easier to complete as all parties involved will want it to go through without a hitch.
West Ham should have enough spending power to outbid any fee put forward by Burnley and the opportunity to remain in London would likely be appealing to the Dutchman.
It feels as though this deal has been made for the Hammers and now they have to take it.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers intermediary has reportedly made contact with Michael Carrick to become the new Irons boss