Aston Villa and Chelsea have come to an agreement on the cost for signing Dutch defender Ian Maatsen. The 22-year-old left-back is expected to be acquired for a fee ranging between £35 million and £40 million, contingent on potential add-ons. This transfer is pending a medical examination, as Villa Park anticipates Maatsen to commit to a six-year contract.
Maatsen, who had a significant role during his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in the latter half of the last season, opted for Aston Villa largely because the club offers Champions League play in the upcoming season. Despite the Chelsea management initially considering a swap deal involving Aston Villa’s striker Jhon Duran, they ultimately decided to negotiate Maatsen’s transfer independently.
Earlier this month, Borussia Dortmund attempted to secure Maatsen’s services permanently following his successful loan period. However, they hesitated to meet Chelsea’s full asking price of £35 million. Maatsen had extended his contract with Chelsea for another year in January, but this extension included a release clause that indicated a probable departure in the summer transfer window.
Currently, Maatsen is in Germany with the Netherlands national team, preparing for Euro 2024. The Netherlands is scheduled to face France on Friday in Leipzig. Due to his international duties, Maatsen has not yet completed the physical examination or signed the contract with Aston Villa.
Maatsen joined Chelsea in 2019 after being signed from PSV Eindhoven. During his time with Chelsea, he went on multiple loan spells, including stints at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley, and most recently, Borussia Dortmund. Despite his promising performances during these loans, Maatsen found it difficult to secure a regular spot in Chelsea’s first team under the management of Mauricio Pochettino last season.
Over his tenure at Chelsea, Maatsen managed to appear in 16 matches for the club. Now, he is set to leave Stamford Bridge for new opportunities at Aston Villa, where he hopes to make a significant impact.
Aston Villa is eager to bring Maatsen into their squad, banking on his versatility and defensive capabilities to strengthen their lineup. The transfer highlights the club’s ambition to bolster their team with young talent ahead of their Champions League campaign. The negotiations and ultimate agreement with Chelsea reflect the club’s commitment to investing in players who can contribute to their long-term success.
In summary, the transfer of Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa from Chelsea is nearing completion. The young defender, valued between £35 million and £40 million, is expected to join Villa Park on a six-year deal pending a medical examination. His choice to join Villa was influenced by the prospect of playing in the Champions League. While currently on international duty with the Netherlands for Euro 2024, Maatsen is yet to finalize the move. After several productive loan spells and limited opportunities at Chelsea, Maatsen is poised to embark on a new chapter in his career with Aston Villa.
