Borussia Dortmund have held talks with Chelsea for Ian Maatsen, but there are complications in reaching an agreement.
According to Evening Standard, Borussia Dortmund have held talks with Chelsea for Ian Maatsen ahead of a potential January move. The Blues have slapped a £30 million asking price for the versatile academy star, something the German giants may not afford to pay this month.
Borussia Dortmund move for Ian Maatsen?
Borussia Dortmund have increasingly looked at talents from England and have enjoyed enormous success over the last few years. Their development and subsequent sales of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham have benefitted them financially as they continue to look out for more promising talents.
The Euro giants have now set sights on Chelsea outcast Ian Maatsen, with the £30 million-rated versatile defender likely to consider his options if his situation remains the same. The Blues are actively looking to sell him in January to raise funds.
Having slapped a £30 million price tag on Maatsen, Chelsea hope to profit from his sale to fund key transfer targets in January. It is a similar price they accepted for the versatile defender from Burnley in the summer.
Dortmund cannot pay that sort of a fee now in January, meaning they might ask Chelsea to loan him with a buy option in the summer. The Blues are only interested in a full sale and will reject any temporary proposals for the academy star as they are keen to raise funds.
The Black and Whites will sense an opportunity to do business, considering Maatsen will have 18 months left on his deal. However, Chelsea could point towards other interested clubs as a factor, which could see them finding more suitors for the versatile defender.
Chelsea are looking to raise funds
Chelsea are open to selling some academy stars to raise significant funds for new transfers. They have a striker in sight, with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney likely to cost over £100 million. They must find suitors for their homegrown stars to bring either, with Maatsen among four such players.
Conor Gallagher is also a possible departure, with Chelsea demanding £50 million for the midfielder. He has no interest in leaving and will enter the final 18 months of his deal. Similarly, the Blues are keen on offloading Trevoh Chalobah, while Armando Broja could also consider his future at the club if a new striker arrives.
As for Maatsen, there was talk of a new deal. But now, it appears Chelsea will likely sacrifice the Dutch star for funds and the idea of keeping an active face in the transfer market. Whether Dortmund can agree on a deal remains the question, but they are an attractive option.
