West Ham United is increasingly confident about finalizing a deal for Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen as their first signing in the upcoming January transfer window, as reported by TeamTalk.
The Hammers’ initial pursuit of Maatsen was rebuffed last summer, with Chelsea’s head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, emphasizing the need to assess the Netherlands international before making a decision about his future.
As the season progresses, Maatsen has yet to secure a starting position in a Premier League game. Despite being 21 years old, he has only made 14 substitute appearances in the League this season. Among his 141 minutes of Premier League play, his longest duration on the pitch was a 20-minute cameo in the 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge.
While Maatsen’s contract is set to expire in 2025, initial discussions regarding a contract renewal have seemingly stalled. Reports from TeamTalk suggest that Chelsea is open to selling Maatsen, with a valuation set at £20 million for the Dutch player, indicating that his time at Stamford Bridge may be nearing its end.
The Hammers are expected to be active in the January transfer window as they seek success in the Europa League, their Premier League campaign, and the FA Cup.
With Maatsen approaching the final 18 months of his contract, there’s a possibility that he could be transferred this winter, given David Moyes’ keen interest in the Netherlands international.
Currently, Emerson Palmieri holds the undisputed first-choice left-back position for Chelsea this season, with Aaron Cresswell falling in the pecking order. David Moyes aims to introduce competition in that position through the acquisition of Maatsen.
Chelsea’s left-back position has faced challenges due to injuries to Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell, leading to Levi Colwill, a natural center-back, being given the starting role at left-back, potentially limiting game time for Maatsen.
Mauricio Pochettino is likely to seek to streamline the bloated left-back position, creating a favorable situation for West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, to facilitate a smooth transfer of Maatsen to the London Stadium.
