Club ready to sell £32m defender ‘with lots of energy’ that West Ham want

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West Ham United continue to be linked with Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen ahead of the January transfer window.

The Hammers reportedly wanted to sign the 21-year-old during the summer window, after he enjoyed a triumphant loan spell at Burnley.

Although Maatsen ended up staying put at Chelsea, he has struggled for game time. Now, fresh reports suggest West Ham could have a second chance to sign him.

According to 90Min, the Blues are once again prepared to sell the Dutchman after they failed to agree fresh terms over a new contract.

Earlier this year, they triggered their 12-month extension clause in Maatsen’s contract to tie him down until 2025 and protect his valuation.

Burnley were set to sign Maatsen in a deal worth just under £32million as part of their obligation to buy following his loan stint, but he rejected the move.

West Ham target Ian Maatsen has ‘lots of energy and great potential’

Meanwhile, West Ham could certainly do with bolstering their defensive ranks further, particularly at full-back.

Maatsen is a versatile player who has featured in pretty much every position except striker and goalkeeper during his career.

“Ian is doing exactly what he needs to be doing,” Vincent Kompany told Sky Sports in January when Maatsen was shining at Burnley.

“With his stature he’s not making the game about what the other players want, it’s about what he has in terms of his skill and tools.

“He’s part of such a very strong list of players who have done really well for us this season.

“The ingredients are always the same. He’s got to be coachable in a sense that when he’s not doing well we’ve got to be able to tell him and eventually learn from his mistakes. 

“He’s got to be willing to work hard, he does that terrifically, and get better.

“He is just turning into something that we expected him to be able to become.  He’s a very, very versatile full-back with lots of energy and great potential.”

Maatsen would be a great shout for West Ham. He’s very young, has a high ceiling, and is extremely talented.

In addition, £32million isn’t that much of a gamble for a player who looks like he’ll have a great future in the game.

The Athletic previously referred to Maatsen as “the complete Vincent Kompany player”, which is a huge compliment.