Manchester City are keeping tabs on Chelsea full-back Ian Maatsen
Manchester City are considering signing Chelsea star Ian Maatsen on a cut-price deal as Pep Guardiola looks to add a left-back to the roster. This comes after the Premier League champions allowed Joao Cancelo to move to Barcelona.
According to 90min, (h/t Express) Manchester City have expressed their interest and wants to move for the Dutch left-back, who rejected the offer to join Burnley on loan. Chelsea are now expecting to prolong Maatsen’s deal after the left-back intended to remain at the West Londoners despite having accepted Burnley’s £31.5 million offer earlier this summer.
The youngster spent a season-long loan spell at Turf Moor, where he made a statement performance and is in the plans of Mauricio Pochettino this season. Maatsen has drawn interest from plenty of clubs, and Pochettino is a keen admirer of the left-back after he impressed during the pre-season.
Despite having Marc Cucurella, Pochettino has used the 21-year-old often in the last four Premier League games, with Ben Chilwell also in the fray.
However, Maatsen has been barely employed as a left-back as Pochettino has used him on the wings. It will be good to see the Dutch player remain at Chelsea, as his qualities will give the Blues options for the full-back position.
Hopefully, he will pen down a long-term contract after rejecting Vincent Kompany’s side offer. The Blues will have good depth in the left-back position, and given that Pochettino has shown faith in starting Maatsen, one thing is guaranteed: he will get reasonable game time despite being operated out of position.
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Given that the Blues were willing to loan him with a buy-back clause, if he decides against signing a new deal, Chelsea may once again contemplate selling him if Manchester City submits a competitive bid. After losing Joao Cancelo to a loan to Barcelona, City is left without a suitable left-back. However, it is debatable if they will be open to landing Maatsen with a buy-back clause included.