Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal with EFL Championship side Burnley to loan out young defender Ian Maatsen for the 2022/23 season.
According to The Athletic, Burnley have struck an agreement with Chelsea to secure the signing of 20-year-old left-back Ian Maatsen on a season-long loan deal.
Having spent time at the academies of Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam and PSV Eindhoven, Maatsen joined the Chelsea youth setup in the summer of 2018. The 20-year-old made his senior debut for the Blues in a Carabao Cup tie in September 2019, which remains his solitary first-team appearance to date.
Maatsen spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Charlton Athletic before joining Coventry City on a temporary spell last summer. The Dutch left-back enjoyed a solid campaign with Coventry, scoring three and assisting one goal from 42 appearances. Back at Chelsea, the youngster was staring at an uncertain future, as he did not feature in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
A move back to the Netherlands seemed to be on the cards as Maatsen had reportedly agreed personal terms with Feyenoord. With talks having progressed between the two clubs, the left-back looked all set for a move to Feyenoord.
However, there have been big twists and turns in the past 24 hours or so as first Nottingham Forest emerged as a suitor for Maatsen, giving him a chance at playing in the Premier League. Following that, Burnley, too, presented themselves as a possible destination for the 20-year-old left-back.
And, as reported by The Athletic, the Chelsea starlet has opted to choose the Clarets, where he will be working under new manager Vincent Kompany. The former Manchester City captain is believed to have played a key role in convincing Maatsen to snub interest from other clubs and move to Turf Moor.
The report claims that Chelsea and Barcelona have reached a full agreement over a season-long loan deal for Maatsen. The Netherlands Under-21 international is expected to travel to the North West on Thursday to complete his medicals before the necessary paperwork is signed and the deal is made official.
Despite having failed to make a mark at the first-team level for Chelsea, Maatsen is held in high regard at the club. With two years left on his contract, the 20-year-old could be hoping that he gets a chance at Stamford Bridge next year if he impresses during his time on loan at Burnley.
