Aston Villa have completed the signing of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea on a six-year contract.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that Villa had agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Maatsen, with personal terms already in place.
The Netherlands international did have a now-expired release clause which was worth £35million — but only for Borussia Dortmund, where Maatsen spent the second half of last season — and Villa and Chelsea have compromised on a fee just above that figure.
Villa manager Unai Emery is a huge admirer of the 22-year-old and wanted to recruit him ahead of next season as Villa prepare to play in the Champions League for the first time.
Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea. ✅
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 28, 2024
Maatsen’s terms at Chelsea had been due to end in June 2025 but were extended by 12 months in January ahead of his loan to Dortmund. In Germany, he quickly established himself as a key part of their run to the Champions League final.
The Dutchman had only made three starts — one in the Premier League, two in the Carabao Cup — and 12 substitute appearances in the first half of last season before joining Dortmund. He then started all seven of their European games, including the Champions League final, and 15 of their 18 Bundesliga matches.
Maatsen’s move follows the arrival of Lewis Dobbin from Everton. They have also agreed a deal to sign Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea from Juventus, with Douglas Luiz set to join the Italian club in a separate deal. Tim Iroegbunam, meanwhile, has signed for Everton from Villa.
Why did Villa want Maatsen?
Analysis by Aston Villa correspondent Jacob Tanswell
As The Athletic reported last month, adding in both full-back positions have been considered. Left-back is a key area for Emery’s asymmetrical system that sees the right-back become a third centre-back and the opposite full-back tasked with staying high and wide and replicating the functions of a left winger. It is why they targeted Argentina international Marcos Acuna last season, who played in a more advanced left-sided position during the World Cup.
Out of the current options, Alex Moreno appears better suited to Emery’s style than Lucas Digne, due to his acceleration and inclination to drive at players one-v-one. Digne, who is also happy at Villa was a reliable performer last term but carries more traditional characteristics.
However, recurring hamstring injuries restricted Moreno to 520 minutes of football last season, while Digne is among the highest earners at the club, with Villa looking to get his £120,00 salary off their books since last season.
Why were Chelsea willing to sell?
Analysis by Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey
Chelsea insist they do not need to sell players by June 30 to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), but they are certainly in the market to bank some pure profit this summer — and Maatsen has been one of the likelier candidates to be sold for some time.
Maatsen played just 416 minutes for Chelsea across all competitions between August and January last season, and part of the agreement that extended his contract to June 2026 when he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan in the winter was that he would be sold if an offer of at least £35million was received.
Despite having a Champions League final to forget against Real Madrid, Maatsen’s loan spell at Dortmund was hugely productive and increased his transfer value. Chelsea are well covered at left-back with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, and happy to cash in now.
GO DEEPER
Does money need to be sent? Do deals need to be done? How June 30 PSR deadline really works
(Oliver Hardt/Getty Images)
