Premier League clubs eye Ian Maatsen as Chelsea and Dortmund stall over transfer fee
According to reports, Borussia Dortmund have been willing to sign left-back Ian Maatsen and make the move permanent from Stamford Bridge, but they are hesitant to pay Chelsea’s £35 million asking price, which has sparked interest from the Premier League.
Chelsea are open to selling Maatsen next season. The Blues have also put a release clause in his contract, which is around £35 million, and whichever club matches the deal will be able to sign the fullback, considering the stall with Dortmund.
The 22-year-old joined Dortmund on loan in January and quickly established himself as a key component of Edin Terzic’s squad, appearing in all seven Champions League knockout matches.
Although the Dutchman is set to return to London this summer, it has been claimed that the player wants to continue his career at Dortmund in Germany, and the primary stumbling issue for the Champions League finalists appears to be the player’s contract, which included a substantial release clause agreed to before his transfer overseas.
He joined Chelsea as a junior player in 2018 but has only made 16 professional appearances since. He’s had loan stints in England with Coventry City, Charlton Athletic, and Burnley, but his most recent departure from Chelsea saw him join Bundesliga club Dortmund.
The Dutch youth international had a great few months at Signal Iduna Park, where he made 23 appearances across all competitions and scored three goals during the second part of the 2023/24 season.
Maatsen has shown himself at the top level, and we’d like to believe Chelsea would give him an opportunity in the squad.
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However, like with Conor Gallagher, selling Maatsen would result in pure profit in terms of their books, considering he is an academy graduate.
The Blues will use any money raised from player sales to bolster the existing playing team, which is due to begin a new era under a new manager next season.
