Aston Villa reach agreement with Chelsea to sign Ian Maatsen after unique £35m release clause expired
ASTON VILLA have agreed a fee with Chelsea for the transfer of Ian Maatsen.
The 22-year-old Dutch left-back is believed to have already settled on personal terms with Unai Emery’s side.
And he is now set to pen a six-year contract at Villa Park.
The move is set to be finalised for a fee of just over £35m, according to reports.
Maatsen shone on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season from the Blues.
He helped them to reach the Champions League, where they were defeated 2-0 by Real Madrid.
Dortmund had the option to turn that move into a permanent one due to a clause inserted into that loan agreement.
However, the option to buy him for £35m has now expired, according to journalist David Ornstein.
And that has allowed Aston Villa to make their move as they prepare for their own shot at Champions League football.
Maatsen moved to Chelsea from PSV back in 2018.
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He was sent out to gain further experience in the Football League with both Charlton Athletic and Coventry City.
However, it was during the 2022/23 campaign that he really caught the eye after Vincent Kompany took him to Burnley.
He played a key role in helping the Clarets to win the Championship title and then looked set to get his big chance at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino was believed to be a huge fan, but he played just 15 times before he was allowed to join Dortmund in January.
He played 23 times for the German club in all competitions, scoring three goals, but even that was not enough to convince them to snap him up long-term.
Maatsen’s performances have also led to international recognition.
He was named in Holland’s preliminary Euro 2024 squad before he was left out of Ronald Koeman’s final one.
However, an injury to Frenkie de Jong saw him called up and he is currently preparing with his Dutch team-mates to take on France this Friday.
Now he will be returning to a brand new club as Emery looks to build ahead of the new season.
The Spaniard led Villa to a top four finish in the Prem last term, ensuring their spot in the Champions League group stages.
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