Aston Villa agree £70m Ian Maatsen deal - sources
Aston Villa are edging closer to unveiling Ian Maatsen as their newest signing after agreeing personal terms with the Chelsea full-back, sources have told Football Insider.
The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, reaching the Champions League final, and has seen his stock rapidly rise.
Aston Villa and Chelsea have agreed a fee of £35million for the Dutchman, which could rise to £40m with add-ons.
Maatsen will sign a five-year deal worth in excess of £100,000-a-week, with a club option of an additional 12 months. Should that be triggered, the deal is worth more than £70m including fee and wages.
Football Insider revealed [16 June] that the two clubs were in daily discussion over Maatsen, who has only made 12 senior outings for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2019.
Via loans with Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley, the left-sided player has gained vital senior experience which stood him in great stead for a successful, albeit short stint at Dortmund.
Maatsen switch to Aston Villa to be completed imminently
Unai Emery has been a long admirer of Maatsen and made it a priority to bring him into the Aston Villa squad ahead of pre-season.
First revealed by Football Insider on 6 May, the player was keen to leave Chelsea permanently in search of a place to settle in his career.
This was initially thought to be Dortmund, who had first refusal on a purchase which has since expired.
Following a windfall which Football Insider reported to be £40m for Aston Villa just next season for qualifying for the Champions League [Stefan Borson, 19 June], Emery has sanctioned a move for a player whose trajectory is taking a steep incline and whose sell-on value could be a gargantuan sum in the coming years.
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