Aston Villa had an amazing 2023/24 season. Unai Emery helped Villa to finish on fourth place in Premier League and grabbing the champions league spot. Villa’s long wait to play champions league football is finally over and the fans have huge expectations from the club. However Villa are reported to be on the verge of breaching profitability and sustainability rules. This is resulting is limiting their action in summer transfer window. However Villa are hopeful to get some talented players with Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen being their recent linking.
Chelsea are another club who is reported to face troubles due to PSR rules. As a precaution they are looking to sell their homegrown players to seek pure profit and get their books clean. Maatsen was sent on loan for half season to Dortmund with an option to buy. However the German club has failed to sign him and now Villa are very close to make the Dutch full back their latest addition.
Aston Villa need to let some of their star players go in the upcoming market. One of the names who is very certain to leave is Douglas Luiz. Juventus are very interested in Brazilian international and have already started negotiations with Villa. Villa will receive over €20 million plus two Juve midfielders if the deal is completed. Everton have signed Villa’s Tim Iroegbunam for £9 million. Villa are linked with Everton’s Lewis Dobbin and its been reported that the talks about deal have been advanced.
Aston Villa keen to sign Ian Maatsen
Ian Maatsen joined Dortmund mid-season on a loan from Chelsea. Ever since his arrival to Germany, Maatsen proved to be one of the crucial player for Dortmund. He featured in 23 matches for Dortmund across all competitions. The 22 year old full back scored three time along with assisting two times in those appearances. Dortmund were very impressed and wanted to make Maatsen their permanent player. However the bids made by German club fell short to satisfy Chelsea’s needs. Now Aston Villa are very close to achieve Maatsen’s signature according to Football Insider.
Aston Villa are reported to have offered Maatsen a six year deal. His signing was reported to cost Villa in between £35 million to £40 million. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that it will cost Villa £37.5 million if all the expectations are met.
Maatsen was reported to willing on continuing playing in Champions League. However, he can’t achieve it with Chelsea next season. It was also revealed that the Dutch full back wants to leave Chelsea permanently hoping to start on regular basis. Fortunately he will be able to achieve his goals if he moves to Villa Park.
Ian Maatsen’s career so far
Maatsen started his youth career with Feyenoord in 2009. Before moving to Chelsea, he played for both Sparta Rotterdam and PSV academies. In 2018, Maatsen joined Chelsea academy and made his senior debut a year later.
However he didn’t receive many opportunities at Chelsea and was sent on loan Charlton Athletic. Maatsen was again sent on loan to Coventry City and Burnley. Maatsen caught the most attention in his half season loan spell at Dortmund. The 22 year old full back reached Champions League final. Unfortunately Dortmund had to face defeat against Real Madrid in the final. Maatsen was very impressive throughout Dortmund’s run earning him place in team of the season as best left back.
Villa target Maatsen was included in Netherlands preliminary squad for Euro 2024. However he was not selected in the final squad until early June when Frenkie De Jong got injured. Maatsen was called up to replace De Jong in Dutch squad.
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