Chelsea 'hold talks' over Ian Maatsen transfer as new release clause stance emerges

Ian Maatsen's future at Chelsea continues to be the subject of speculation as the summer transfer window opens.

Maatsen spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and impressed on their run to the Champions League final. The left-back had made 15 appearances for the Blues in the first half of the season before moving to Germany on loan.

Speculation in recent months has seen Maatsen heavily linked with a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge. Dortmund are known to have an interest in bringing Maatsen back to Signal Iduna Park, but now an update has emerged on the defender's future.

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have expressed an interest in signing Maatsen this summer. The report states that Villa have enquired about Maatsen after Dortmund's stance on a deal changed.

Maatsen has a £35 million release clause in his contract at Chelsea, and the report states that fee is not something Dortmund are willing to pay this summer. As a result, Villa have moved to try and take advantage amid the possibility that Maatsen could be available to Premier League clubs.

The report adds that Villa will only be able to complete a deal to sign Maatsen from Chelsea if they sell Jhon Duran to the Blues. It has been stated that a road £40 million deal for the Villa striker has been agreed between Chelsea and the West Midlands club, although a move is still far from being completed.

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Villa are also reportedly interested in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. It remains to be seen what players will leave Stamford Bridge this summer, as well as new arrivals, as new manager Enzo Maresca begins to assess his squad. Maatsen is currently with the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, with a resolution on his future at Chelsea unlikely to be decided until after his country's involvement in the tournament.