ExWHUEmployee has provided an update on West Ham’s hunt for a left-back ahead of the January transfer window.
Despite having an extremely strong starting XI, there are a number of areas that David Moyes is keen to add to in January. A striker is the priority but, after that, the Hammers also want to sign a full-back to provide competition.
In the Summer, West Ham were linked with a move for Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen. The Dutchman had just had an immense season for Burnley, where he was one of the standout players in their Championship-winning season.
However, Maatsen wanted to stay in West London and fight for his place in the Starting XI. Unfortunately for him, he’s fallen down the pecking order and the Irons could be ready to pounce on a deal, according to our man in the know ExWHUEmployee.
“Now, in terms of left-backs, there’s definite interest in Ian Maatsen from Chelsea who we again looked at in the Summer,” he revealed exclusively on The West Ham Way Patreon. “Chelsea chose to keep him on, but haven’t used him much since then.” According to The Athletic, the Blues would be willing to accept a figure in the region of £20 million for the 21 year old.
“And then there is Leif Davis, who plays for Ipswich,” Ex continued. “Ipswich are sitting at the top of the Championship with Leicester and look like they’re going to have two back-to-back promotions. He is meant to be one of the stars of their show down there.”
“Aaron Cresswell is a left-back we bought from Ipswich too,” he added, “so there is a good history of that working.”
Our Irons clearly have the intent of bringing in a young, pacey left back who are just as strong going forward as they are defensively. Either one of Maatsen or David would be an excellent signing and it ultimately comes down to who the club perceives as better value for money with their limited budget in January.