Football Insider has been informed by sources that Aston Villa and Ian Maatsen’s representatives are in regular communication regarding the latter’s summer transfer from Chelsea.
The Netherlands international spent the second half of the previous season on loan with the Bundesliga team, but Dortmund has balked at his £35 million release clause.
According to sources, Unai Emery wants to bolster his team with a new left-back after Villa secures a spot in the Champions League for the upcoming campaign, but Villa is also hesitant to go that far at this time.
Although a deal is not thought to be close, Chelsea is eager to sell the 22-year-old and talks about a possible transfer are still ongoing behind the scenes.
Having only signed a new contract in January, the left-back’s contract in west London runs until 2026.
Prior to leaving on loan to Dortmund during the January transfer window, the defender appeared in just one of his twelve Premier League games as a starter the previous season.
In his 23 games for the Bundesliga team, Maatsen had 22 starts. His two assists and three goals helped the team advance to the Champions League final.
His £35 million release clause has prevented Dortmund from extending the loan agreement, and Villa is likewise reluctant to pay that much to get him.
The West Midlands giants have been eyeing the Dutchman as a younger left-back alternative, because Alex Moreno is now 31 and Lucas Digne will turn 31 next month.
Potential departures, however, are still a given at Villa Park as Football Insider reported on June 7 that the team needs to generate £60 million in player sales after their PSR proposal was turned down by other Premier League teams.
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