Aston Villa strike £37.5m deal for Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen

Aston Villa have agreed a £37.5million deal for Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen.

The Netherlands left-back only needs to finalise personal terms for a move to Villa Park to be completed.

Borussia Dortmund have been trying to turn Maatsen’s season-long loan into a permanent transfer, but the Germans have struggled to meet Chelsea’s asking price.

Now Villa are poised to pounce for the 22-year-old, who has been called up to the Dutch squad for Euro 2024 as an injury replacement.

A Villa move for Maatsen would prove a boost for Chelsea in their continued search for a new striker recruit this summer.

The Blues are continuing to weigh up a move for Villa’s Jhon Duran, after exploratory talks with the Birmingham outfit.

If Villa can complete a deal for Maatsen, then Chelsea may well be able to shave some money off any eventual fee for 20-year-old Colombia striker Duran.

Former Burnley and Coventry loanee Maatsen helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final in an impressive season with the Bundesliga club.

Villa are understood to be confident of convincing Maatsen to join their resurgent set-up, with Unai Emery guiding the club to a hugely impressive fourth place finish in the season just completed.

Villa chiefs believe the chance for another campaign of Champions League football and Emery’s upbeat approach will be key selling points that could sway Maatsen’s thinking.