Barcelona is reportedly considering a surprising move for Chelsea’s young talent, Ian Maatsen, on a free transfer next summer. Spanish outlet Sport has indicated that Barcelona is closely monitoring Maatsen’s contract situation at Stamford Bridge, particularly in light of Marcos Alonso’s contract expiration next year. Maatsen’s current deal concludes on June 30, and discussions might commence as early as January. Barcelona could potentially enter into pre-contract negotiations, securing his services without a transfer fee in the summer.
In a broader context, Chelsea had accepted an offer from Burnley for Maatsen during the summer, but the defender chose to remain in west London. Despite making eight appearances for the Blues this season, he has yet to secure a Premier League start. The future for Chelsea and Maatsen remains uncertain. It remains to be seen if they will reach an agreement on a new contract before his current deal expires this summer. Given Maatsen’s limited opportunities at just 21, the prospect of first-team football at Barcelona might prove too enticing to resist.