West Ham United transfer news as Hammers look to Ian Maatsen after England duo agree deals
West Ham United are looking to sign Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen on a loan-to-buy deal this summer, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper reported on their website on Wednesday (9 August) that the Hammers will look to sign the Dutch full-back at first on a temporary basis once deals are completed for both Harry Maguire and James Ward-Prowse.
Maatsen spent last season on loan with Burnley in the Championship, impressing as Vincent Kompany’s side were crowned champions of England’s second tier and has caught the eye of new Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino during pre-season.
Discussing the Hammers approach to the remainder of the window, Jacob Steinberg wrote: “West Ham have agreed deals to sign Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
“West Ham are also looking for a left-winger and are trying to sign the Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen on loan with an option to buy. They could sign a striker after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.”
Special talent
The Irons want a new option at left-back especially with rumours still circulating about Aaron Cresswell’s future at the London Stadium and Maatsen offers a very different style of play to most options at the disposal of David Moyes this summer.
On top of that the 21-year-old fits Tim Steidten’s desire to bring a younger crop of players to the East London club while also offering the potential Premier League quality that Moyes has been so desperate to add to his ranks this summer.
Whether or not Chelsea can be convinced to part company with the full-back is another question as Pochettino has been impressed by Maatsen’s ability, including his two goals against Wrexham during the Blues’ pre-season tour of America.
There is no guarantee of minutes for the Dutchman at Stamford Bridge with both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella competing for the left-back role, but Lewis Hall’s impending move to Crystal Palace may mean Maatsen will be kept in the Chelsea mothership.
Ultimately it will likely come down to how much football the defender wants to play this season, with guaranteed minutes under Moyes that can’t be offered at the Bridge.
In other West Ham news, one defensive target of the Hammers has said he will only leave this summer for a top club