Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea prodigy Ian Maatsen, currently on loan at Championship club Coventry City.
According to a report by Football Insider, Ian Maatsen is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a move in the January transfer window. The Chelsea prodigy is currently on loan at Coventry City, where he has impressed this season.
Ian Maatsen joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in July 2018 and has since made impressive progress. The 19-year-old is the latest player to join the infamous Chelsea loan army, having spent the 2020/21 season at Charlton Athletic before joining Coventry City in the summer transfer window.
The Dutch under-21 international has made his mark at the Championship club, chipping in with one goal and one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions thus far this term. The Chelsea loanee’s progress at Coventry City has not gone unnoticed, piquing the interest of Barcelona.
Widespread reports have suggested that the Catalan giants are in the market for a left-back amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Jordi Alba. The Spanish international has been heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain and could leave Barcelona as part of their impending squad overhaul.
As a result, the La Liga heavyweights have been linked with several left-backs, including Ramy Bensebaini. And Maatsen is also a viable target for Barcelona, even though the interest in the 19-year-old Chelsea prodigy comes as a bit of a surprise.
However, while the Dutch under-21 international is yet to play a single minute of top-flight football, he has shown a lot of promise during his loan spells away from Chelsea. And according to Football Insider, a January move could be on the cards, with Barcelona exploring the possibility of prising him away from Chelsea.
However, with Maatsen contracted to Coventry till the end of the 2021/22 season, it is unclear whether a winter transfer will be possible for Barcelona to execute. Instead, a move for Alejandro Grimaldo could make sense, especially with the Benfica defender revealing he is ready to return to Camp Nou. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if the pursuit of the Chelsea prodigy bears fruit for Barcelona.
