Chelsea now view £32m player as expendable but could still hand him new deal

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Chelsea do not view Ian Maatsen as a player who is indispensable despite their willingness to hand him a new contract.

According to football.london, Chelsea are planning to offer Ian Maatsen a fresh deal but still see him as someone who is expendable.

The left-back’s current contract expires at the end of the season, so the Blues may just be trying to protect his value.

At the end of the last transfer window, The Telegraph reported that Burnley had agreed to take Maatsen on loan from Chelsea in a deal that would have seen them eventually sign him permanently for £31.5m.

The 21-year-old, however, wanted to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place.

Barcelona interested in Ian Maatsen

If Maatsen does leave Chelsea, Barcelona look like they could be a potential destination for the Dutchman.

Sport recently claimed that Barcelona are considering signing a left-back next year and have Maatsen on their shortlist.

It would be disappointing to see the former Burnley loanee leave Chelsea for many reasons.

He has come through the club’s academy, is versatile and still very young, meaning that he could evolve into a much better player.

However, Mauricio Pochettino does not really have a role for him in the team right now, with Maatsen yet to start a match in the Premier League.

We would thus not be surprised to see Maatsen join Barcelona or another club next year, especially with his contract running down. At this stage, a free transfer in the summer of 2024 looks more than possible.