Aston Villa agreed £70m Ian Maatsen deal as he prepare for medicals in the next 7 hours unfortunately…
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.
In other news, Tottenham could hijack the Aston Villa pursuit for Weston McKennie.
Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic says he is prepared to go out on loan next season if the club sees fit – but that he is preparing for pre-season with the primary ambition of earning a place in the Lions’ starting XI come the middle of August. Teenager Nedeljkovic signed a long-term deal when he joined in January, but he remained with Red Star Belgrade for the second half of last season.
Now, though, the Serbian is in England and readying himself for Villa’s substantial pre-season campaign, during which time they come up against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Athletic Bilbao, Columbus Crew and RB Leipzig. Nedeljkovic, 18, has plenty of experience despite his young age and played in the Champions League last season.
It remains to be seen exactly what his role will look like upon arrival, though. Villa are entertaining interest from abroad in Matty Cash and the full-back department in general is expected to be heavily scrutinised by Unai Emery this summer. Nedeljkovic could hit the ground running and be involved on the opening day – equally, he might be sent out to gain experience of English football. He’ll be ready for every scenario.
