West Ham United handed transfer blow as Ian Maatsen wants to stay at Chelsea amid pre-season heroics
West Ham need to strengthen in all areas this summer ahead of a huge season, which is rapidly approaching its starting point.
Having only just secured their Premier League survival last time out, the Hammers must also now balance their league duties with their Europa League duties.
And that means having a large squad that is capable of challenging on all fronts under manager David Moyes.
The club could, however, be losing one of their main men from last season in left-back Aaron Cresswell, who is wanted by Wolves, according to The Guardian (19 July).
If he is moved on, the Hammers have lined up Chelsea ace Ian Maatsen as a direct replacement, the newspaper added.
But their hopes of signing the 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Burnley, have hit an immediate barrier, with the youngster keen to stay at Stamford Bridge.
“At the moment, I am really calm,” said Maatsen, as quoted by Football.London. “I am here now doing my best and that’s all I can do.
“Of course, I want to stay but if I prove it every day in training and work hard in the matches then they will decide but hopefully I can stay here and progress.
“I hope to come back here and show the fans and the manager what I am capable of. I want to stay injury free and those are my goals for this season.”
The left-back’s comments come after his heroics for the Blues, with Maatsen netting a brace in the club’s 5-0 pre-season friendly win over Wrexham in the USA on Thursday (20 July).
In other West Ham news, one Hammers ace is “pushing” for a move to Saudi Arabia amid “serious interest” in the player.