Super ambitious and efficient Aston Villa are set to sign a star Tim Steidten desperately wanted at West Ham.
West Ham and Aston Villa do not belong to the Premier League’s so-called “Big Six”.
But as two of the biggest clubs in the “Other 14” the Hammers and Villa have been pushing to challenge that group over the last few years.
West Ham managed sixth and seventh placed finishes before winning a European trophy.
By Unai Emery’s own admission, West Ham inspired Aston Villa to rise up and go one better by breaking into the Premier League’s top four last season.
Hammers and Villa feel ambition is shackled
That means Champions League football for Villa next season and a distinct advantage over West Ham when it comes to competing for players in the transfer market.
The top source inside West Ham exclusively told Hammers News at the weekend that new PSR rules are making it almost impossible to invest in the team to challenge the elite clubs.
Aston Villa’s co-owner Nassef Sawiris shares that view and is even ready to sue the Premier League over PSR, claiming it is anti-competitive.
But while Hammers technical director Tim Steidten is having to stretch a reported £100m budget out across an eight-signing rebuild, it seems it is not stopping Villa getting big deals done quickly and efficiently.
Because super ambitious Aston Villa are set to sign a star Steidten desperately wanted at West Ham.
Super ambitious Villa set to sign star Steidten wanted
West Ham have been linked with a host of left-backs this summer as they look for a young successor to Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Cresswell for the long-term.
First choice left-back Emerson turns 30 soon and it is claim he could be sold to Milan.
Villa are also on the hunt for a new left-back.
But they look set to succeed where West Ham failed after agreeing a deal for Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen.
It was reported ahead of the January window that the Hammers were confident of signing Dutchman Maatsen.
When the window came, though, Chelsea sent him on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund wanted to take up the option to buy on the deal but couldn’t financially, potentially giving West Ham new hope.
But now Villa have offered MORE than his £35m release clause – a fee West Ham would not have been able to compete with.
Deal shows where West Ham are
“Aston Villa have agreed a deal with Chelsea for left-back Ian Maatsen,” Sky Sports reports.
“The fee for the 22-year-old is understood to be to be between £35m and £40m and it will rise with add-ons.
“Maatsen will sign a six-year deal at Villa Park with personal terms not expected to be an issue.”
Explaining the deal, Sky Sports’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol revealed what Maatsen wanted and it means West Ham had no chance.
He said: “It’s crucial that Villa are in the Champions League. The player himself wants to carry on playing in the Champions League.
“He played so well for Dortmund, helping them reach the Champions League final.”
The Hammers have been linked with free agent Ryan Sessegnon after his release from Spurs.
West Ham are also said to be interested in Juan Miranda of Real Betis.
But this deal shows where West Ham are in terms of competing with the top six.
Steidten has been able to make one exciting capture this summer in the shape of Brazilian teenager Luis Guilherme.