Barcelona eye Chelsea wonderkid after contract talks stall

Suraj Radia

14 Oct 2023 21:37 BST
3 min read

Barcelona are looking to pounce on the free agent market again, this time targeting Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen as the Dutchman’s contract winds down.

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Maatsen has become part of Chelsea’s first team squad after helping Burnley to promotion from the Championship last season but the 21-year-old has played just 84 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Chelsea accepted a £31.5 million offer from Burnley to bring Maatsen back to the club permanently on deadline day but the left-sided player turned down the move and chose to start the season going into the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

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Maatsen has been offered a new deal by Chelsea but they may be forced into considering offers for the Netherlands under-21 international in January as no progress has been made towards resolving his future.

SPORT claims that Barcelona have been following Maatsen for years due to his offensive ability, having featured as a winger as well as a left back during his career so far.

Barca are in the market for a left-back with Marcos Alonso’s deal set to expire at the end of the season but they will not consider any moves until January when they can properly assess the situation.

Barca eyeing free transfer rather than January deal

Maatsen is highly rated by Mauricio Pochettino but he has not made any starts in the Premier League despite injuries to Ben Chilwell among others.

Chelsea will be willing to sell Maatsen for the right amount, as proven by his failed transfer to Burnley, with the Blues still looking to balance their financial fair play numbers after 18 months of staggering outlays.

However, Barca would not be willing to pay a substantial fee for Maatsen in January due to their financial situation and would only look to him as a potential bosman signing in the summer.

Ian Maatsen has been called up to the Holland national team. pic.twitter.com/h576ugnBzY
— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) October 9, 2023

Alejandro Balde is currently the club’s starting left-back and Barca have no desire to change that but Maatsen’s versatility and potential ability has attracted the club, although options such as Valentin Barco and youth prospect Alex Valle, currently on loan to Levante, are being considered.

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For Alonso, Barca would be willing to extend his deal beyond this season but only if the 32-year-old accepts a ‘very affordable salary’.