Chelsea are potentially set to net in excess of £15m this summer as they look to strike a deal with Burnley for impressive loanee Ian Maatsen this summer.
The Dutch defender, who joined Chelsea in 2018, was a key cog in Vincent Kompany’s Championship winning side last season, making 39 appearances and contributing four goals and six assists from left back.
One of several loan players that the Clarets utilised last season, he was a fan favourite and made the Championship team of the season thanks to his impressive performances.
Now, he could be set to return to Lancashire for the upcoming season.
According to the Athletic, Burnley are ‘open to bringing Maatsen back either permanently or on loan but would prefer the former’, but are ‘reluctant’ to meet Chelsea’s £20m asking price for the defender.
Their latest £15m offer has been turned down, but it is added that ‘there is a feeling that a compromise can be reached somewhere in the middle’, with Maatsen behind all of Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Lewis Hall in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Another option could be a second loan, but that would require Maatsen to extend his contract in west London, which is currently set to expire in 2024.
‘Returning to Burnley is viewed as the best place for his development’, the Athletic add, meaning that should he leave Chelsea this summer in any form, it is likely to be to Turf Moor.
Chelsea are set to recoup major funds this summer, with the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevor Chalobah both likely to leave and Mason Mount in talks with Manchester United. In addition to this, there is set to be a firesale of senior players that could include Christian Pulisic, Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson Odoi as the Blues look to continue overhauling their squad.
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