Transfer News: Barcelona eyeing a shock move for Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen
According to transfer news on Football Insider (h/t The Sun), Barcelona are plotting a shock move for Chelsea starlet Ian Maatsen amidst his ongoing loan move at Coventry City.
The left-back has been one of the key players for the Sky Blues this season. Coventry are currently seventh in the Championship, one point off the play-off spot. Maatsen has played his part in this process, and his performances have not gone unnoticed.
Barcelona are now lining up a shock move for him. The cash-strapped club are looking to bring in reinforcements, and the Dutch starlet is on their list. However, it remains to be seen whether the Blues would entertain the possibility of this deal.
They was speculation that Chelsea were considering recalling the player in January, following the injury to Ben Chilwell. However, Coventry boss Mark Robins deemed these rumours to be of ‘no concern.’
Should Chelsea cash in on Ian Maatsen?
The West London club sold some young stars in the summer. Fikayo Tomori joined AC Milan on a permanent transfer before Tammy Abraham too joined him in Italy by signing for AS Roma. Marc Guehi joined Crystal Palace while Tino Livramento signed for Southampton.
However, the Blues have managed to negotiate deals that allow them to bring back the latter trio. Chelsea can sign Abraham back for £68million after the summer of 2023, while we shall need to fork out £40million to sign Livramento. The deal for Guehi is a little complex as we can purchase him for the same price that another club offers to sign him from Palace.
Thus, a similar deal could be orchestrated for Maatsen, unless Thomas Tuchel feels the starlet could become a part of the first team soon. Marcos Alonso is set to turn 31 before the end of 2021, and the Spaniard will need to be replaced sooner or later.
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Ben Chilwell cannot be expected to play every single game, and the Dutchman could develop into an able deputy. He has only made one senior appearance for Chelsea after Frank Lampard gave him a run-out in the EFL Cup in the 2019/20 season. Thus, the Blues can make an informed decision once Tuchel figures out whether the 19-year-old fits into his plans in the near future.
