West Ham United is growing increasingly confident in their pursuit of a left-back, widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the Premier League.
Manager David Moyes is eager to secure a left-back signing during the January transfer window to bolster competition and provide adequate cover for Emerson Palmieri.
Current left-back Aaron Cresswell’s performance has come under scrutiny, with doubts about his ability to continue performing at the Premier League level, leading to attempts to offload the 34-year-old during the summer.
Chelsea’s emerging talent, 21-year-old Ian Maatsen, has emerged as a prime target, with the Blues indicating a £20 million price tag for the young player. Maatsen has had limited playing time under manager Mauricio Pochettino and recently expressed openness to exploring opportunities away from Stamford Bridge.
There is growing speculation that Maatsen could potentially challenge Emerson for a spot in the starting lineup at West Ham’s London Stadium.
According to Dean Jones, West Ham is optimistic about securing Maatsen’s services from Chelsea in the upcoming January window. Described as a “terrific” player by Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, Maatsen is recognized for his exceptional pace, strong tackling abilities, and the versatility to adapt to a wing-back role when required.
Maatsen has tremendous potential and is expected to continue developing in the coming years. With minimal Premier League minutes under Pochettino this season, and currently positioned behind other left-back options at Chelsea, it’s speculated that Maatsen may find a move to West Ham appealing.
His potential signing is anticipated to significantly elevate the quality of West Ham’s squad, potentially serving as a major upgrade over Cresswell, and sparking excitement within the West Ham fan base.
