West Ham United defender Aaron Cresswell could leave the London Stadium as early as January, according to Claret & Hugh.

The reliable Hammers journalists, writing in their latest article (20 October) share that David Moyes had his sights set on Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen as a replacement for the Irons veteran who is expected to depart the club.

The 33-year-old pushed to leave for Wolves during the summer window [The Athletic, 19 July] and even missed training as they offered him better wages to be closer to his family in the Midlands. Still, no such move materialised in the end.

Get Maatsen

Having entered the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium, it would have made sense for both parties to part ways after a season which finished on a high note after their Europa Conference League triumph, a possible last-perfect hoorah for the nine-year West Ham United veteran.

Whatever Moyes' stance is on Cresswell remains to be seen but what is clear, it seems as though the Hammers are already planning for life without him, especially with concurrent injuries taking their toll on the veteran's qualities.

The left-back slot is an area of real need for David Moyes and Tim Steidten, and two names have already emerged in the frame to replace the former Ipswich Town defender with Chelsea's Maatsen and Atletico Mineiro's Guilherme Arana reported targets.

The Irons already have Emerson as a capable left-back but a dependable Cresswell replacement and one who could usurp the Italian international is needed and Maatsen seems the ideal candidate.

Evening Standard reported on Thursday (19 October) that the Blues "quietly" activated a clause in his contract to extend it for another year meaning West Ham United may have to pay a "substantial" fee to get him but given his potential and currently quality, he could worth every penny.

It's clear Cresswell won't be able to compete at the top level for long and it's important Moyes and Steidten prepare for his inevitable exit - whether in January or the Summer with a potential burgeoning Maatsen opportunity now possible.

In other West Ham news, Daniel Kretinsky has no need to cash in on any Qatar offer after a PS1.7bn update dropped last week.

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