West Ham United happy to sign Ian Maatsen on loan before green-lighting Aaron Cresswell exit
West Ham United are happy to sign left-back Ian Maatsen on loan from Chelsea before finally allowing Aaron Cresswell to depart, according to Alan Nixon.
The Sun reporter posted on his Patreon page on Sunday [13 August] that West Ham and Burnley are effectively going head-to-head for the Dutchman.
Maatsen played a huge part in Burnley’s promotion from the Championship last season, but the Clarets are said to be eyeing up other Premier League loans and are therefore restricted in terms of who they move for.
Nixon adds that Chelsea may yet keep hold of the 21-year-old, who was used regularly in pre-season, but West Ham are hopeful of a loan arrangement that would free up Cresswell to join Wolves.
Big upgrade
West Ham are expected to be one of the busiest clubs on the continent in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window, as they look to reinvest the £105m Declan Rice windfall back into the squad.
Edson Alvarez has arrived from Ajax and fellow central midfielder James Ward-Prowse is set to follow imminently [Sky Sports], but David Moyes could also do with strengthening in other positions.
United look rather stale at full-back, where Emerson Palmieri and Vladimir Coufal started in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Saturday [12 August].
Despite his young age and lack of top-flight experience, Maatsen looks as though he would be a big upgrade on both Emerson and Cresswell at left-back, with the latter widely expected to join Wolves [Football Insider].
Maatsen was named in the official Championship Team of the Season after starring for Burnley, who boasted the best defensive record in the division en route to a serene promotion under Vincent Kompany.
The Netherlands U21 international is an attack-minded full-back, highlighted by his four goals and six assists in 39 league outings last time out.
Maatsen continued that goalscoring form with a couple of strikes in Chelsea’s 5-0 friendly win against Wrexham last month.
Cresswell has been a decent servant for West Ham, while Emerson is clearly a very talented full-back, but Maatsen looks the real deal and can add some flair to the Irons’ left-hand side should a deal be struck with Chelsea.
In other West Ham news, Flynn Downes has reportedly said goodbye to his teammates ahead of joining Southampton on loan.