Chelsea ace Ian Maatsen would prefer West Ham move despite £30m+ deal agreed with Burnley
Burnley have agreed a £31.5million deal with Chelsea to sign Ian Maatsen, but the 21-year-old is reluctant to accept the switch and would be more open to a move to West Ham, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper shared on 1 September that Chelsea accepted an initial loan deal for Maatsen with an obligation to buy next season, but after making three appearances for Mauricio Pochettino this season, he is reluctant to join Burnley.
West Ham’s interest has apparently cooled, with that deal now looking unlikely as Aaron Cresswell is expected to stay at the London Stadium, but a deal could still be done if they opt to make a move.
West Ham should reignite their interest ASAP
The potential is there for a late move to hijack Maatsen’s move back to Burnley, where he spent last season on loan, with the player preferring a move to West Ham.
He would fall in line with the club’s target to recruit younger fullbacks in an attempt to prepare for the future, but that approach did seem focused on Cresswell leaving the club, as any incoming left-back seemed to be a replacement for the man who has been at the club for nine years.
West Ham now know the price they will need to pay if they do wish to bring Maatsen to the club, although a move to Burnley or a decision to ultimately remain at Stamford Bridge are still the most likely options as the window rapidly draws to a close.
The Hammers appear to be focusing their efforts on bringing a new striker to the club, so any potential move for Maatsen could be pushed aside. They sold Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta earlier this summer, leaving just Michail Antonio and Danny Ings as the attacking options.
In other West Ham news, Southampton are attempting a late move to sign a Hammers ace.