Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is more likely to leave than stay at Stamford Bridge this summer.
That is according to a report from The Telegraph.
The future of Ian Maatsen, 21, is one of several intriguing transfer stories to follow right now in the Blues squad.
He’s a highly-rated left-back that did exceptionally well out on loan at Burnley last season, but he rejoins a Chelsea group that already has Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella competing for the full-back position.
The Telegraph claims that Maatsen’s exit in this summer transfer window is viewed as more likely than him staying put.
This comes at a time when there’s plenty of speculation linking him with a move to a new club.
The Athletic claimed this month that Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wolfsburg and Benfica have all approached Chelsea over a possible deal for Maatsen. However, Burnley are viewed as the favourites to get the £20million full-back after his success with them last year.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino may have thrown a spanner in the works by what he did with Maatsen in the first pre-season game of the United States tour.
Rather than his usual left-back spot, Maatsen played a lot higher up the pitch as a genuine left-winger. The results were that he scored two brilliant goals in the 5-0 victory against Wrexham in midweek.
Described as “brilliant” by Coventry City manager Mark Robins (Coventry Telegraph), Maatsen needs to be playing in the Premier League next season one way or another.