West Ham have joined the race to sign Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen, with Mauricio Pochettino yet to make a final call on the defender’s future.
Maatsen spent last season on loan with Burnley in the Championship and impressed under Vincent Kompany.
The 21-year-old scored four goals and produced six assists as he helped Burnley to promotion at the first time of asking.
It was previously reported that Chelsea value Maatsen around the £20m mark, although Pochettino is yet to make a final call on the defender’s future.
Plenty of Premier League clubs have been sniffing around the youngster and West Ham are the latest side to declare an interest.
According to The Guardian, West Ham are ‘keen’ to replace Aaron Cresswell with the Chelsea defender.
Cresswell himself is in talks with Wolves over a potential move and Maatsen would be a sensible pick-up for a side like West Ham.
The 21-year-old is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2024, with Chelsea also holding the option to extend his deal by a further year.
Along with West Ham, the likes of Nottingham Forest and Burnley have been linked with the defender this summer.
According to the same report, Maatsen has made a ‘positive impression’ during pre-season, although Pochettino has not decided whether or not to keep him around.
Given Chelsea already have the likes of Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Lewis Hall, Maatsen could find it tough to break into the first team.
Maatsen himself has been very complimentary of Kompany for the trust he showed in him throughout his time at Burnley.
“I think this season was a really special season, but also a beautiful season,” Maatsen told the Chelsea website.
“Having Vincent Kompany as manager of an English team was really exciting. When I first went there it was straight away a family feeling.
“We worked hard with each other, we knew each other more and more, on and off the pitch, so it was a really beautiful season with loads of experience and enjoyment for me.
“I couldn’t really have hoped for more and I hope whatever next season is going to hold for me it can be the same.”