Aston Villa to sell first-XI star after Ian Maatsen news – expert
Aston Villa will have to cash in on either Lucas Digne or Alex Moreno if they want to sign Ian Maatsen in the summer transfer window.
Digne and Moreno featured in a combined 75 games last season as they were often rotated and neither could nail down a guaranteed starting position.
Meanwhile, Football Insider reported in May that Maatsen is looking to leave Chelsea this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Villa defender Alan Hutton warned that Unai Emery is at risk of an imbalance in the squad if the 22-year-old is signed.
This comes after Football Insider revealed the club have been in daily contact with the left-back’s representatives about a move.
The Dutchman spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund as they reached the Champions League final, impressing suitors in his 23 appearances.
However, neither Dortmund nor Villa are expected to match his £35million release clause as things stand.
Aston Villa to sell Digne or Moreno as Ian Maatsen deal on the cards
With the club keen on landing Maatsen, although no deal is thought to be close despite constant discussions, one of Moreno or Digne will have to be sold.
Both full-backs are currently in their early 30s and the club could now consider a younger option as Hutton admitted the deal has “a lot of moving parts”.
“I think they’d have to get rid of someone,” he told Football Insider.
“If he’s coming in on the left-hand side, they’ve got Digne and Moreno, so somebody has to go. You can’t have an unbalanced squad.
“There are a lot of moving parts to this deal.
“If Maatsen comes in, you’re left with one too many and you’ve got to shift somebody on.“
In other news, Tottenham could hijack Villa’s move to sign Weston McKennie.
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