Chelsea could be about to make their own Jadon Sancho mistake by getting rid of another young winger this summer. Barcelona are on the lookout for a new left-back as Marcos Alonso’s contract nears its end – and the Catalonians have identified Ian Maatsen, who can be deployed either as a winger or a full-back, as an ideal signing.
The 21-year-old could also be available on a free transfer if they wait until the summer with his current deal at Stamford Bridge set to expire on June 30. According to Diario Sport, Barca will make their final decision over whether to sign Maatsen before the winter transfer window opens in January.
It is understood that Alonso may stay with the La Liga outfit for another couple of seasons if he agrees to slash his £100,000-a-week wages while youth player Alex Valle, on loan at Levante, is another option to be brought back into the fold and bolster their backline.
However, external alternatives are being picked out and Maatsen is reportedly near the top of Barca’s list. Maatsen’s Chelsea deal includes an option to extend by a further year until the summer of 2025 although discussions have stalled over its activation.
Last season, the Dutchman played an integral part in Burnley’s Championship-winning campaign. Barcelona scouts have been following him for years and are said to have been impressed by his performances at Turf Moor.
Maatsen has featured eight times for Chelsea this season but is yet to receive his first Premier League start for the club. It is unclear where Mauricio Pochettino sees Maatsen fitting into his plans for the foreseeable future and it is expected he won’t be with the club come next season.
Chelsea accepted a £31.5million bid for Maatsen from Burnley on deadline day this summer but the Dutchman rejected the approach. According to the Telegraph, Chelsea had made two contract offers to the winger prior to Burnley’s bid, one of which is said to have been worth more than what he would have earned by joining the reigning second-tier champions on a permanent deal.
However, no progress has been made since. If terms can’t be agreed upon in the next couple of months then the west Londoners will likely listen to offers in January.
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