Manchester City are keeping tabs on Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, according to Planet Sport.
The website claims the Premier League champions are “monitoring” the Dutchman’s contract situation, with the player having less than a year left on his current deal.
It is believed that Chelsea are keen to tie down Maatsen for the long-term after he turned down a permanent transfer to Burnley at the end of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Turf Moor, working under manager Vincent Kompany, who rates the fullback very highly. Back at the start of this year, the City legend praised the defender’s abilities:
“Ian is doing exactly what he needs to be doing. With his stature he’s not making the game about what the other players want, it’s about what he has in terms of his skill and tools. He’s part of such a very strong list of players who have done really well for us this season. The ingredients are always the same.”
“He’s got to be coachable in a sense that when he’s not doing well we’ve got to be able to tell him and eventually learn from his mistakes. He’s got to be willing to work hard, he does that terrifically, and get better. He’s just turning into something that we expected him to be able to become. He’s a very, very versatile full-back with lots of energy and great potential.”
An economical solution to strengthen City’s options at left-back
If Maatsen doesn’t sign a new contract before January, he can talk to foreign clubs about signing on a free transfer next year. English teams would, though, have to pay compensation due to the player’s age.
Even so, City wouldn’t have to spend a huge amount to sign a player who could have been sold for £31.5m this summer. It would be a very shrewd move to snap up the Netherlands Under 21 international.
Watch this video on Shots! TV reviewing Manchester City and Manchester United’s transfer window