Explained: What Ian Maatsen's new Chelsea contract means for Barcelona move
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 19 Oct 2023 12:50 BST
- 4 min read
Chelsea have extended Ian Maatsen’s contract by a further year, FootballTransfers can confirm, amid heavy transfer interest from Barcelona.
The Dutchman spent last season on loan at Burnley and he played a key role as Vincent Kompany’s side walked the Championship with ease to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
He returned to Chelsea this summer and caught the eye in a more attacking role under Mauricio Pochettino during pre-season.
READ MORE: Chelsea seal fresh contract for Ian Maatsen
The 22-year-old has not yet started a Premier League match this season, but he has made eight appearances in all competitions for the Blues in 2023-24 and his contract at Stamford Bridge has now been extended until 2025.
Previously, Maatsen’s deal was due to expire next summer, which had alerted clubs across Europe. However, Chelsea were keen to avoid losing him on a free transfer and have now extended his contract by one year, as first reported by The Evening Standard.
He did, however, reject two contract offers from Chelsea before eventually agreeing on a one-year extension, as per Nizaar Kinsella.
READ MORE: Liverpool and Chelsea 'ready massive Mbappe offers'
As a result, the Dutchman will not be available to sign on a Bosman deal in 2024. Barcelona had reportedly planned on negotiating a deal with Maatsen in January as foreign clubs can approach out-of-contract stars six months before their contract expires.
That rule is what saw Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger approached by Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively before their Chelsea contracts expired in 2022.
But, interested clubs are still able to pursue a move for Maatsen and the fact his contract has only been extended by one year suggests he may not have a long-term future at Chelsea.
The Blues have handed out hugely long contracts since Todd Boehly became owner in 2022, and 22 first-team players currently have a deal that runs until at least 2028.
Therefore, Maatsen’s future is not secure at Stamford Bridge. As a result, Barcelona may still be able to sign the Dutchman if they are prepared to pay a transfer fee.
Will Ian Maatsen join Barcelona?
The Blaugrana have become renowned for free transfer signings in recent years - due to their financial problems - with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Andreas Christensen, Memphis Depay and Franck Kessie moving to Camp Nou on a Bosman deal over the past few seasons.
With Maatsen now unavailable on a free transfer in 2024, Barcelona may withdraw their interest, but if the Dutchman is seen as a real target, then a move could happen, albeit they will need to pay a transfer fee. Their financial issues means the move is far more unlikely, however.
Burnley and West Ham were also interested in signing Maatsen during the summer, while Manchester City had been linked with a move before news of his new contract extension at Chelsea broke.
