Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund clash over Ian Maatsen’s transfer fee
Chelsea are now in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund as Ian Maatsen looks to leave the club permanently this summer, per Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth (via. GIVEMESPORT).
“One potential signing that they could get big money for is Ian Maatsen. We do know that he went on loan to Borussia Dortmund and had a really successful spell, getting to the Champions League final.
Before he went there, he signed an extension on his contract at Chelsea that takes him to 2026 and it’s our understanding the contract includes a release clause of around £35m. We know Dortmund want to keep him and we know Maatsen wants to stay.
He’s happy at Dortmund, but the club don’t want to pay £35m. It’s simply too high of a figure for them, so they are currently in talks with Chelsea over potentially negotiating that release clause and maybe bringing it down to potentially around £30m.
It definitely is one to watch and it’s definitely one Chelsea could make a bit of money from.”
Dharmesh Sheth, Sky Sports journalist
Although the Dutchman is set to return to London this summer, it has been claimed that the player wants to continue his career at Dortmund in Germany, and the primary stumbling issue for the Champions League finalists appears to be the player’s contract, which included a substantial release clause agreed to before his transfer overseas.
The 22-year-old joined Chelsea as a junior player in 2018 but has only made 16 professional appearances since. He’s had loan stints in England with Coventry City, Charlton Athletic, and Burnley, but his most recent departure from Chelsea saw him join Bundesliga club Dortmund.
The Dutch youth international had a great few months at Signal Iduna Park, where he made 23 appearances across all competitions and scored three goals during the second part of the 2023/24 season.
Maatsen has shown himself at the top level, and you’d like to believe Chelsea would give him an opportunity in the squad.
However, like with Conor Gallagher, selling Maatsen would result in pure profit in terms of their books, considering he is an academy graduate.
The Blues will use any money raised from player sales to bolster the existing playing team, which is due to begin a new era under a new manager next season.
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With Chelsea potentially testing the limits of PSR restrictions, there is increased demand on them to sell players, particularly those who have progressed through the academy.
