Chelsea are open to considering offers for Ian Maatsen, the left-back who has fallen out of favor, in the upcoming transfer window.
Although the club recently triggered a one-year contract extension for the Dutch player, keeping him tied until the summer of 2025, Maatsen has struggled to secure playing time under Mauricio Pochettino this season, despite impressing during the pre-season.
While Chelsea initially arranged a loan deal with Burnley, including a £31.5 million obligation to buy, Maatsen opted not to return to Turf Moor where he celebrated a Championship title last term. With his playing prospects at Stamford Bridge looking dim, the 21-year-old is now open to exploring opportunities elsewhere, especially where regular playing time is guaranteed. However, new FIFA regulations on overseas loan deals might force him to consider a permanent departure, as the Blues have already reached their limit of seven players on loan abroad.
Borussia Dortmund have expressed longstanding interest in Maatsen, having attempted to secure a loan deal in 2022. Currently seeking cover for Africa Cup of Nations-bound defender Ramy Bensebaini, Dortmund faces budget constraints and may be unable to afford a permanent deal for Maatsen during the winter transfer window.
Meanwhile, Brazilian attacking midfielder Andrey Santos is poised for a recall from his loan spell with Nottingham Forest. If he remains in English football, Santos could be loaned out again. Similarly, Maatsen might still be eligible for a loan to another Premier League club, with Burnley, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest among the potential suitors.
In a previous interview with Dutch media in October, Maatsen expressed his openness to leaving Chelsea and revealed ongoing communication with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, despite rejecting the club’s offer during the summer transfer window.
He said: “As a young boy you always want more. I gain confidence from the trainer’s words and I am ready when the opportunity comes. In the meantime, I have to keep all options open. I may have to make difficult choices later, but then the club will indicate that. ‘This doesn’t mean I’m mad at you. We’ll continue to keep an eye on you,’ he [Kompany] said. We still have contact from time to time.”
As an academy graduate, Maatsen is another player that would reflect 100 per cent profit against Financial Fair Play – if sold. The versatile defender, who can also play out wide, has played just 295 minutes of action in all competitions this season, came off the bench in Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.
