Romano dashes Chelsea flop's hopes of dream move

Tom Weber

Updated: 26 Mar 2024 12:31 GMT
4 min read

Fabrizio Romano has played down Ian Maatsen's links to Bayern Munich.

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The Chelsea youngster is currently out on loan at Borussia Dortmund and impressing. Maatsen has shown himself to be one of the Bundesliga's most exciting left-backs, which is good news for Chelsea as they are keen to offload the Dutchman in the summer.

Maatsen penned a new deal with a €40 million release clause before heading to Germany and the expectation is that he will depart Stamford Bridge permanently in the upcoming transfer window. His destination, however, is not yet clear.

Borussia Dortmund are naturally keen to keep him around and the player has revealed that he would like to stay, but the financial aspect of the move will likely prove too challenging. Maatsen would become the Black and Yellow's record signing if they were to trigger his exit clause.

This has given rise to fresh speculation around his future, with Sky Germany reporting that Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old. Maatsen is viewed as an ideal replacement for the potentially Real Madrid-bound Alphonso Davies.

Romano on Maatsen

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, there is not much in the links between Maatsen and Bayern at this stage. “I’m aware there have been rumours about Bayern Munich eyeing Ian Maatsen as a possible replacement for Alphonso Davies at left-back,” Romano told CaughtOffside.

“As things stand, I’m not aware of contacts for Maatsen at this stage. Bayern are looking at full-backs for sure, but there are many names every day linked with Bayern… nothing is concrete in terms of contacts for Maatsen. Of course, they are monitoring the market as they prepare for the possibility of life without Davies."

“For sure there’s a chance for many clubs if they want to sign Maatsen as he’s on a straight loan to Dortmund and his deal includes a £35m release clause, rather than a purchase clause specific to Dortmund. Anyone can trigger that clause, so let’s see what happens, but there’s nothing concrete happening now.”