Former Charlton Athletic loanee Ian Maatsen is set for a move to Aston Villa, with BBC Sport reporting that the former European Champions have agreed a fee rising to £40 million with Chelsea for the Dutchman.
The full-back, who can also play further forwards, impressed during his time at The Valley and rapidly progressed, making 34 appearances for the club in League One. Maatsen then went on to further loan moves in the EFL, having spells with Coventry City and Burnley, being named in the 2022-23 Championship Team of the Season with the latter who were promoted as champions.
It’s reported that the left-back will sign a six-year deal at Villa Park with a medical planned. There had been talk of a swap deal between the two clubs involving Villa striker Jhon Duran, but the move for Maatsen will now happen in isolation.
The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at defeated Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, would provide competition for Villa’s current left-backs Alex Moreno and Lucas Digne who are both approaching the autumn of their careers. Dortmund had previously had a £35 million buy option after the loan but chose not to exercise the clause, and a move to Villa, who will be playing in Europe next term, now looks likely.
The move sees the Villans add further Champions League experience to their ranks as Unai Emery looks to prepare his team for a first European campaign since 2010, having finished fourth in the Premier League last season.
Maatsen is currently uncapped at senior international level, having played age group football for the Netherlands, and is currently part of the Oranje’s Euro 2024 squad having been called up as a replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong.
Maatsen departs Stamford Bridge having made 16 appearances in West London, with a move to the Midlands likely to bring more permanent first team opportunities as he and Villa both look to progress.
Writer’s View
This is a shrewd move for Villa as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of a long campaign with even more football and provides them with cover and European experience in a position where their current players are aging. From Maatsen’s point of view, the move to Villa Park will allow him the chance of more stability and the opportunity to hold down Villa’s left-back role for years to come, while also getting more Champions League experience and staking his claim further for a place in the Dutch National Team.
