Dortmund intend to buy Ian Maatsen
Chelsea want £35m
Dortmund plan to buy Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen this summer.
Maatsen has made 17 appearances in all competitions and scored twice, including a goal in Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid.
It was Maatsen’s first Champions League goal and he’ll now play in semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea put a £35m valuation on Maatsen in January, which Dortmund felt was steep. However, Maatsen’s form means getting that number is currently quite realistic.
Dortmund would ideally like to sign both Maatsen and Jadon Sancho, but financial considerations may mean they can only move for one or the other.
Maatsen is understood to be the priority with contact expected with Chelsea later this month.
Manchester United are also looking for a left-back; and Maatsen, along with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, has been discussed. United almost signed Cucurella on-loan, but failure to agree on mid-season break scuppered a deal.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has also been scouted and is a player Chelsea appreciate as well.
Chelsea are looking for a young left-back. Even though Levi Colwill can offer support to Ben Chilwell or Cucurella, should Maatsen depart, and with Lewis Hall’s £28m move to Newcastle now triggered, there is an appreciation more depth is needed in that position.
Maatsen would prefer to stay at Dortmund, but won’t force an exit if a fee can’t be agreed. Instead, he’ll return to Chelsea for pre-season and hope for minutes on the tour of America.
Maatsen won’t be short of other suitors given his impact at Dortmund. West Ham are another club to watch.