Man City plot shock January move for Chelsea star after talks over new contract stall

Harry Watkinson
Chelsea duo Ian Maatsen and Nicolas Jackson celebrate
Chelsea duo Ian Maatsen and Nicolas Jackson celebrate

Manchester City are ‘closely monitoring’ the situation of Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, with talks over a new contract at Stamford Bridge at a standstill.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Burnley last season and returned to the Blues this summer with only one year left on his contract. 

Maatsen was a key player in helping the Clarets to win the Championship title and secure promotion back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Burnley saw a £15m bid turned down for the full-back in June. The Lancashire club later agreed a deal with Chelsea to re-sign Maatsen on loan, with an obligation to buy him for £31.5m next summer.

Maatsen turned down this move, however, and now Chelsea want to hand him a new long-term contract. Mauricio Pochettino has awarded the defender with four appearances this season, while rival left-back Marc Cucurella has only played once in the Carabao Cup.

It seems, however, that negotiations over a new contract are proving to be much more difficult than initially expected.

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According to a report cited by Planet Sport, Maatsen’s expiring contract has ‘attracted attention from several European clubs, including Premier League and Champions League champions, Man City.’

Pep Guardiola has been on the hunt for a new natural left-back for some time, as he isn’t convinced by the abilities of Sergio Gomez.

As previously reported by Football365, Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson has been linked with a move to Man City, but they were unable to agree a deal with Fulham after the United States international penned a new deal at Craven Cottage.

Nathan Ake has filled that void admirably at times, but it’s thought that Guardiola would rather see him play in his preferred centre-back role. With that in mind, bringing in Maatsen could be a good bit of business for the Cityzens.

Negotiations between Maatsen and Chelsea are set to continue in the coming weeks regarding a contract extension, however, and sources close to the situation are optimistic that an agreement will be reached soon.

If the Blues fail to tie Maatsen down to a new deal, however, we could see Man City come in for him when the transfer window re-opens in January.

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