Maatsen, Duran, Kellyman - Chelsea, Aston Villa transfers explained amid imminent PSR deadline

Both Chelsea and Aston Villa are close to completing deals with respective players as the top-flight duo emerge as the busier Premier League clubs so far in the summer transfer window.

Last week, the Blues entered advanced talks with the Midlands club over a deal for talent Omari Kellyman. In a separate deal, reports suggested that Ian Maatsen was in talks in a move which would see him swap Stamford Bridge for Villa Park for a fee in the region of £35million and £40million.

The news comes days before the deadline for clubs to publish their year-end accounts to the Premier League. Top-flight clubs have the opportunity to post the results in either May or June but they must do for the end of the top-flight campaign.

This summer, many Premier League clubs, they will have to be strict in the window amid the threat of the top-flight's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Everton and Nottingham Forest faced consequences for their financial losses last season as the Toffees were deducted eight points for two breaches, including a record 10-point sanction which was later reduced to six points, while the City Ground club were handed a four-point sanction.

Earlier this month, Sky Sports reported that Chelsea were facing the threat of falling below the red line and into dangerous PSR territory.

The appointment of Enzo Maresca was the fourth managerial arrival at Stamford Bridge since Todd Boehly took over in West London, and as well as change in the dugout, the American-owned club have splashed out on several new arrivals including Enzo Fernandes, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer.

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The outlet later refuted their own claims and suggested that Chelsea have disputed the notion that they would need to offload some of their talents before the PSR deadline in order to move clear of the danger. However, Sky Sports did report that Chelsea will need to make sales to keep in line with PSR for the 2024/25 season, with the cut-off next summer, but they are under no pressure this month.

Rules stipulate that Premier League clubs do not make a loss any greater than £105m across the previous three seasons. As a result, some top-flight clubs are treading close to the red line which has seen them look to offload some of their players to balance their books.

Selling homegrown talent is one of the most effective ways to do this as it represents pure profit and the sum of £105m has been outlined in order to follow UEFA financial fair play (FFP) rules which were introduced at the start of the 2011/12 season.

Jhon Duran

Chelsea are on the hunt for a striker and one of the names that has emerged is Aston Villa's Jhon Duran. The clamour for the former Chicago Fire forward has simmered slightly after the Blues were granted permission to speak to the 20-year-old.

However, the longer the move drags on, Villa are more at risk of missing the PSR deadline. Birmingham Mail reported that the club is intent on squashing fears of exceeding the Premier League's loss allowance but while Chelsea continue carrying out their due diligence on possible targets, the Midlands club have been left in limbo.

Chelsea are actively pursuing Duran but have yet to conclude and will not rush the process despite reports that they were going to commit to a £40million deal. Selling the Colombian would not be seen as pure profit, as he isn't homegrown, but could bank a financial gain after signing the attacker for £18millon, last January.

Ian Maatsen

A player that is set to move in the opposite direction is Maatsen. The Belgian enjoyed a strong spell with Borussia Dortmund last year as the German side came agonisingly close to scoring their second European crown.

It has been reported that a deal between £35m and £40m with potential add-ons has been agreed but for Chelsea, while they can bank it as pure profit, Aston Villa will be able to split the fee over the duration of his contract - a suggested six years.

Maatsen despite his Belgian nationality is a homegrown player for Chelsea after joining the club in 2018 and in the Premier League, a homegrown player is defined as someone 'who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any FA-affiliated club for at least three years before their 21st birthday' and made his debut as a 17-year-old.

Omari Kellyman

Chelsea are closing in on a £20million move for Omari Kellyman. football.london understands talks have begun between the two clubs for the 18-year-old who is highly rated in the West Midlands. The Englishman is natural in the attacking midfield position but has operated on both the left and right flank previously.

The Blues will be able to put the fee across the length of his deal at Stamford Bridge. As a result, they will put in their accounts the sum of money that will be outgoing for the upcoming financial seasons.