Romano announces Chelsea U-turn on transfer after Deadline Day SHOCK
Tom Weber
- Updated: 5 Sept 2023 11:33 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea will offer Ian Maatsen a new contract despite accepting a Deadline Day offer for him, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues had a very busy summer indeed and it could have been even busier had Ian Maatsen agreed to depart on Deadline Day. Chelsea had been in negotiations with Manchester United over a Marc Cucurella loan, but when that move fell through, the London club sought to offload Maatsen as they saw no point in having three left-backs at the club without European football.
Indeed, the Blues and newly-promoted Burnley had agreed on a £31.5 million transfer, but the Dutchman rejected the chance to reunite with Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor, where he spent the previous season on loan, winning the Championship.
READ: Chelsea plotting £80m January transfer despite £1 BILLION spend
Maatsen remained a Chelsea player despite the prospects of him getting game time in his natural left-back position looking slim, with Mauricio Pochettino opting to use him further forward. Now, Chelsea have decided that they may not want to sell the 21-year-old youngster after all.
What did Romano say?
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano announced that the Blues plan on handing Ian Maatsen a fresh deal.
"Maatsen rejected a move to Burnley, he wanted to stay at Chelsea, to fight for his place at Chelsea. Now, what happens? Chelsea want Maatsen to sign a new contract."
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"So, new contract conversations will be crucial for Maatsen, otherwise he should leave Chelsea in the next months to try a new opportunity, maybe in January, maybe in the summer."
"But for Chelsea, it's crucial to have the new contract signed from Ian Maatsen. It's part of their plans and this is something they really wanted to clarify with the player. So Maatsen is staying, he rejected Burnley, but Chelsea want a new deal signed as soon as possible."
