West Ham United transfer news as Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen braced for interest
Chelsea duo Ian Maatsen and Conor Gallagher are braced for further interest from West Ham in the final week of the transfer window, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper shared on 24 August that West Ham are expected to continue spending big money until the transfer deadline on 1 September, having received £135million from player sales so far this summer.
Gallagher and Maatsen are listed as names in which West Ham will reignite their interest, alongside Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, despite an injury to Mason Mount complicating the deal.
West Ham to make big moves in the coming days
The report shares the interest in the Chelsea duo has reignited after the Hammers already reached deals to bring Konstantinos Mavropanos and potentially Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus to the club in recent days, while Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri is also a target.
Deals for both Chelsea academy products make sense for the East London club to pursue given their key overruling aims in the transfer market this summer.
Rice’s exit meant the club were forced to aim particular focus at the midfield, and having brought in Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse already, Gallagher would present a more attack-minded option. He also fits into David Moyes’ ideal mould of a homegrown talent with Premier League experience.
Maatsen, meanwhile, falls in line with West Ham’s aims to bring in younger full-back options this summer. The 21-year-old was brilliant while on loan with Burnley last year, and looked like he may have earned a place in the Chelsea squad this year.
West Ham’s interest could be notable, though, as they will likely be able to offer the Dutch wing-back first-team football, whereas he would be playing second-fiddle to Ben Chilwell at Chelsea.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are in a fight to sign another young defender.