Ian Maatsen &#8211; CaughtOffside

West Ham open to selling 27-year-old ace for just £12m

Arsenal will prioritise a move for 25-year-old PL star in January

Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star with four appearances will start vs Brentford

According to Football Insider, Maatsen is keen on a move to Man City as he is believed to want to play more regularly.

It is uncertain if this is the right move for the 21-year-old if this is his goal but the player must see an opportunity as Pep Guardiola currently plays left-footed central defenders in that role.

Chelsea recently extended the full-back’s deal until June 2025 to ensure that they don’t lose him for free and that may pay off as Maatsen is drawing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

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Exclusive: Chelsea “increasing pressure” in Victor Osimhen transfer talks and have another big-name target

Mark Brus — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 10:11:04 +0000

Chelsea are understood to be “increasing pressure” on Napoli with more frequent approaches over the potential transfer of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, sources have informed CaughtOffside.

Osimhen is one of Chelsea’s top targets for 2024, and they’re eager to take advantage of the complicated contract negotiations between the player and his current club Napoli.

CaughtOffside understands Napoli are flat-out refusing to sell Osimhen in January, but Chelsea want to do the leg-work now to ensure they’re at the front of the queue for the 24-year-old’s signature next summer.

Napoli could try to bolster their own position by agreeing to insert a release clause into any potential new contract for Osimhen, but at the moment there does not appear to have been any significant progress on all parties agreeing a new deal.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli

Chelsea need to strengthen up front after the unconvincing form of youngster Nicolas Jackson, while Armando Broja has also not had much of an impact since his return from a lengthy injury layoff, so the Blues’ ever-strengthening pursuit of Osimhen certainly makes sense.

Elsewhere, Chelsea could also make Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba one of their top priority targets in defence for summer 2024, sources with an understanding of the situation told CaughtOffside.

This comes as Trevoh Chalobah remains highly likely to leave Stamford Bridge in the near future, with Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest among the clubs known to have tried signing him in the summer. Despite a deal failing to materialise back then, Chalobah is not in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans and the club are eyeing Tapsoba as one potential replacement.

Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen

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CFC also have interest in Ian Maatsen, who remains on Burnley’s radar after they almost signed him in the summer. West Ham are also understood to be preparing to take concrete steps to try signing the Dutchman.

Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, remains part of Chelsea’s long-term plans despite continued interest from both Tottenham and Newcastle. Gallagher’s preference is to remain at Chelsea, but talks are not yet at an advanced stage over a new contract, putting those aforementioned clubs on alert.

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Why Ian Maatsen is crucial to Chelsea’s pursuit of 19-year-old Argentinian ace

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 09:54:37 +0000

With Ian Maatsen still apparently stalling on a contract extension at Chelsea, he could become a crucial pawn in the Blues pursuit of 19-year-old Boca Juniors ace, Valentin Barco.

The Argentinian left-back is much sought-after with 90Min crediting both Man City and Brighton and Hove Albion with an interest in the player.

Where Maatsen becomes part of the equation is if Chelsea can push for a deal for Barco, they would then allow Maatsen to join Man City.

Clearly, if Pep Guardiola’s side, who are the current favourites to land Barco according to 90Min, manage to get that deal over the line then Maatsen either stays at Stamford Bridge or moves anywhere other than City.

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Nov 24 2023, 11:56

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Nov 24 2023, 11:53

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Nov 24 2023, 11:35

One can understand the Dutchman’s reticence in signing a new deal with the Blues too.

According to WhoScored, the 21-year-old has only played 90 minutes on one occasion this season, and that was in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon.

In the Premier League, the most minutes he’s managed in one single game is 45, against Fulham, with the sum total of his other five English top-flight appearances coming to 39 minutes.

An £8m release clause for Barco, per 90Min, is well within the grasp of all three Premier League clubs and it remains to be seen which of them will be able to acquire his services and whether Maatsen’s involvement tips the balance.

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Man City and Liverpool keeping tabs on 21-year-old who is set to leave Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 07:50:52 +0000

As has been the case over the past few transfer windows, Chelsea can be expected to be one of the busier clubs for incomings and outgoings.

For whatever reason, Todd Boehly seems keen for the Blues to keep shuffling their pack, and one of the next players to leave Stamford Bridge is expected to be 21-year-old prospect, Ian Maatsen.

According to TeamTalk, the west Londoners are looking to change things around in the left-back position, and with the Dutchman seemingly not being able to make any headway in the first-team under Mauricio Pochettino, he will be moved on.

Both Liverpool and Man City are credited with an interest in the player but whether that would be enough to see them make a bid isn’t clear at this point.

From the Reds perspective, much will depend on the recovery of Andrew Robertson, who has been a mainstay on the left side of the Liverpool defence for years now.

Maatsen is clear that he won’t return to Burnley where he spent some time on loan, given their current troubles towards the foot of the Premier League.

Clearly he needs to be playing regularly, however, and whomever happens to be the successful bidder can surely point to value for money given how many years he might be expected to play at the top level, given his age and injuries permitting.

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Man City and Liverpool set for January battle to sign Chelsea defender

Andrew Walker — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:45:55 +0000

Manchester City and Liverpool are on a collision course to do battle over the potential mid-season signing of Chelsea full-back Ian Maatsen.

That’s according to a recent report from TeamTALK, who claims the Blues’ defender is a strong candidate to leave Stamford Bridge in January.

Maatsen, 21, has less than two years left on his deal, and despite the club offering him the chance to extend his stay in London, the Netherlands international has so far snubbed negotiations. Of course, failure to have him commit to a new deal will see Chelsea forced into offloading him.

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And judging by these latest reports, two of the country’s biggest clubs are lining up offers for the 21-year-old.

Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Cityzens are thought to be strong contenders to sign Maatsen, but Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool may have something to say about it.

While both teams continue to do battle on the pitch, this winter’s transfer window will almost certainly see them go at it off the pitch as well.

Since being promoted to the Blues’ first team in the summer, Maatsen, who spent last season on loan with Burnley, has made nine senior appearances in all competitions.

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Exclusive: Chelsea planning new contract talks with star as Spurs & Newcastle transfer approaches likely

Mark Brus — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:51:30 +0000

Chelsea are planning to hold contract talks with Conor Gallagher soon, though there could also be approaches from the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle for the England midfielder this January.

Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea are now clear in their plans in wanting to keep Gallagher after his fine form so far this season, but interest in the 23-year-old remains after he came close to leaving in the summer.

Gallagher himself is open to discussions with Chelsea, which should begin in the coming weeks, but it will be interesting to see how these talks progress, and if it allows rival clubs to try to swoop for him in January.

Chelsea fans will surely be hoping an agreement can be reached to keep hold of Gallagher, who has grown into his role as a real leader in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, taking the captain’s armband during Reece James’ absence through injury.

Conor Gallagher in action for Chelsea against Arsenal

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West Ham open to selling 27-year-old ace for just £12m

Arsenal will prioritise a move for 25-year-old PL star in January

Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal star with four appearances will start vs Brentford

Chelsea are less certain, however, of Ian Maatsen’s future, with the Dutch left-back not necessarily set to renew with the west London giants, despite their efforts to tie him down.

Maatsen was a target for Burnley in the summer and they’re continuing to monitor him, with a January departure now appearing increasingly likely for the 21-year-old.

Trevoh Chalobah is also expected to leave Chelsea, with Bayern Munich continuing to consider him as an option in the transfer market after targeting him in the summer. Other teams are also interested, but Bayern are expected to try taking formal steps to sign the player this winter.

The post Exclusive: Chelsea planning new contract talks with star as Spurs & Newcastle transfer approaches likely appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham United hero could ask to leave after nine years at club

Andrew Walker — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 09:16:20 +0000

West Ham United’s Aaron Cresswell could reportedly depart the club after nine years.

That’s according to Claret and Hugh, who claim the veteran full-back, who came close to joining Wolves in the summer, is set to leave the club again in the coming windows.

Out of favour under David Moyes, Cresswell, 33, has lost his place at left-back to the likes of Emerson. However, another name has now emerged as a possible replacement for the Englishman.

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Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen, who spent last season on loan with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, is thought to be a contender to sign for the Hammers, despite the Blues recently activating a one-year contract extension.

Nevertheless, with West Ham United clearly set to be on the lookout for a new full-back and Maatsen seemingly unconvinced about continuing at Stamford Bridge, Moyes could very much look to test his rivals’ resolve at the end of the season.

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Chelsea make definitive move to secure highly-rated youngster’s future

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 05:21:54 +0000

Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino are still a work in progress, and what that means for the most part is that there’ll be a fair bit of experimentation before the Argentinian settles on his best formation and best XI.

In the meantime, results and performance levels may not be as the club’s supporters might like, particularly given the upheaval of the last year or so, however, it’s necessary in order for the project to, ultimately, flourish.

Owner, Todd Boehly, needs to ensure that Pochettino is given whatever tools he needs to do the job and most importantly he has to be given the time to build at Stamford Bridge. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that.

The pressure is on the manager to deliver of course, though that’s a far easier burden to bear when the board are working with you rather than against you.

Pochettino will live or die by his decisions, as with any manager, and ensuring that Ian Maatsen’s contract has been extended to 2025, per the Evening Standard, appears to be a positive move for both player and club.

Ostensibly taken to keep the interest of Barcelona in the 21-year-old at bay, it also gives the player some 18 months or so to prove to his manager that he has what it takes to survive at Premier League level.

All he needs is an opportunity and that will surely come in due course.

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Chelsea activate clause in player’s contract amid Barcelona transfer links

Mark Brus — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:21:24 +0000

Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen has reportedly had a clause triggered in his contract to extend his deal by one more year, despite the player himself rejecting various offers of more long term deal due to a lack of playing time at Stamford Bridge.

This is according to a report in the Evening Standard, who also cite recent links with Barcelona, so Chelsea may have done well to tie the defender down for a bit longer in order to avoid the risk of losing him for free at the end of the season.

Maatsen impressed on loan at Burnley last season, but it remains to be seen if he can work his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team set-up at Stamford Bridge any time soon.

It seems the Dutchman is highly regarded in the game if a big name like Barcelona are said to be monitoring him, so CFC might want to keep hold of him and give him more of a chance.

Ian Maatsen in action for Chelsea

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West Ham open to selling 27-year-old ace for just £12m

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Ben Chilwell has had injury problems in recent times, while Marc Cucurella hasn’t been particularly impressive since joining the club last season, so there’s surely room for Maatsen to get more playing time.

It will be interesting to see, however, if the Blues are prepared to put much faith into Maatsen as he seemingly continues to refuse to commit to them.

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Tim Steidten working on deal to bring £31m Chelsea man to West Ham in January

Darren Looney — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:32:04 +0000

The future of Ian Maatsen at Chelsea is up in the air and there are several Premier League clubs interested in the defender ahead of the January transfer window.

According to TEAMtalk, they report that Manchester City and West Ham are monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation at Stamford Bridge as he is out of contract at the end of the season and at present, there is no sign of a new deal being agreed.

Maatsen had the chance to join Burnley for £31.5 million during the summer transfer window but that never materialised. That was a great deal for the Blues to accept and it will be difficult for the West London club to demand that type of money in January with just months left on the defender’s contract.

The Dutch star would likely provide cover at left-back should he join Man City with the likes of Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol currently occupying that role at the Etihad.

If the Chelsea star wants regular minutes, West Ham would be a better destination as David Moyes doesn’t have the best options at left-back and that would allow Maatsen to make the position his own over the second half of the season.

The Hammers wanted the 21-year-old this summer also and the club’s Technical Director, Tim Steidten, is certainly looking into how to get a deal done ahead of the winter transfer window.

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