Maatsen signed a short-term contract in January and played a crucial role in Dortmund’s run to Wembley, where they were defeated by a masterful Real Madrid team.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman is expected to move permanently to a Premier League opponent, even though he has shown himself at the greatest level and Chelsea needs a dependable left-back.
In their loan agreement, Dortmund had the opportunity to activate a £35 million release clause, but they chose not to.
Aston Villa has now reportedly agreed to purchase Maatsen for a sum “just above” that amount, according to The Athletic, and they are “working to finalise” negotiations.
Maatsen’s contract with Chelsea was extended when he went on loan to Dortmund. It will expire in the summer of 2026, which means he is set to enter the last two years of the deal.
In the first half of the season, he had made fifteen appearances for his parent club, but only one of those was a Premier League start, lasting less than an hour. By contrast, he was inserted right into Dortmund’s starting lineup for the Champions League and Bundesliga.
Maatsen, who turned 22 in March, joined Chelsea at the age of 16, and despite his difficulties settling in west London, he has had an incredible ascent. He was on loan in the Championship for the seasons 2022–2023; with Burnley, he won the division in the latter.
However, Maatsen will now make his Champions League comeback with a Villa team that qualified for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in more than 40 years after placing fourth in the Premier League.
One of the current left-backs, Alex Moreno or Lucas Digne, is anticipated to be moved by Villa.