Ian Maatsen is set to leave Chelsea this summer and interest has emerged from the Premier League in the form of Aston Villa.
The left-back spent the second half of the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, which was the Dutch star's most productive spell. The 22-year-old made 23 appearances for the Bundesliga side, scoring three goals and assisting two more as the German side finished second in the Champions League.
Dortmund want to keep Maatsen at the club permanently and will need to match the £35m release clause in the Chelsea defender's contract to make it happen.
However, The Telegraph claim that the Bundesliga side are reluctant to do so and that could open the way for Aston Villa to leave. The report claims that Villa have now made inquiries about Maatsen and could look to add the defender to their squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign as the Premier League outfit return to the Champions League.
Unai Emery still has Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno as his left-backs, and one of these could move forward if the Chelsea star arrives at Villa Park in the coming months.
Aston Villa are in a good position to sign Ian Maatsen from Chelsea
Both Chelsea and Aston Villa need to sell players before June 30 to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules and once that is over, both English clubs should be free to sign new stars.
The two clubs are in talks for John Duran, while deals for Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen are also possible between the two Premier League players.
This relationship with the Blues puts Villa in a good position to land a left-back and as he is likely to match his £35m release clause, giving them the edge over Borussia Dortmund in the race for the Dutch defender.
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