Manchester City expressed an interest in signing Ian Maatsen from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
It was 90min who claimed that Pep Guardiola is keeping an eye on the Dutchman’s situation at Stamford Bridge amid a contract standoff.
Now, there has been an interesting update on Manchester City target Ian Maatsen…
What’s the story?
Well, the 21-year-old was the subject of a £31.5m bid from Burnley on deadline day, which Chelsea actually accepted as it met their valuation.
However, Maatsen himself rejected the move – The Athletic believe that was down to concerns over Burnley’s ability to stay in the Premier League, and also the long term future of Vincent Kompany at Turf Moor.
Now – as detailed in that same story by The Athletic – there is said to be a belief surrounding the Chelsea No.29 that “bigger, more established” Premier League clubs could come calling in January.
That suggests Manchester City could be among those sides, with the summer interest potentially being revived this winter.
Manchester City must snap up Ian Maatsen
The Netherlands Under-21 international is currently refusing to sign a new contract at Chelsea, according to Nizaar Kinsella of the Evening Standard.
Speaking on the London is Blue podcast, he said: “I know this for sure that (Chelsea have) offered a contract to Ian Maatsen. He’s not signed it. I think the reason he’s not signed was because the terms didn’t make him seem like a particularly important player.”
Maatsen’s current terms expire at the end of the season.
Therefore, Manchester City have an excellent chance to snap up a genuine wonderkid, either for a cut-price fee this January, or for nothing next summer.
In our view, this opportunity is too good for Guardiola to ignore – Manchester City have to be all over it this winter if Maatsen’s situation at Chelsea remains the same.
