Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano, who Football Park ranks as a tier one source.

Maatsen spent the second half of last campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund, who had a £35 million buy option included in the deal. However, with that clause now expired, Romano has reported that the Dutchman is very likely heading to Villa, who have agreed a £37.5 million fee with Chelsea.

🚨🟣🔵 The agreement between Aston Villa and Chelsea for Ian Maatsen is for £37.5m total fee.

One player to be included in discussions to join Chelsea from Villa will be formally in separated deal.

Final round of talks soon for personal terms details, then… here we go. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/7LIATlWFUj

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2024

Why do Villa want Ian Maatsen?

In 2018, Maatsen joined the Chelsea academy from Dutch side Jong PSV and went on several loan moves before finally getting a chance in the Blues’ first team.

The left-back had spells at Charlton, Coventry and most notably Burnley where he impressed under Vincent Kompany as The Clarets comfortably won the Championship.

Upon his return to Chelsea, many thought that Maatsen may get a run in the first team, especially considering Ben Chilwell had managed only 30 league appearances over the previous two seasons. However, this was not the case and the left-back was forced to watch the vast majority of the action from the substitutes bench.

After struggling for playing time in west-London, the Dutch international spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund. The left-back impressed regularly for the German side, even helping them to their first UEFA Champions League final in over ten years.

As a result, the Dutchman has attracted interest from a host of top clubs. Bayern Munich, Burnley and even Dortmund themselves have all previously been linked with a move for the 22-year-old.

However, within the last 24 hours, Villa have swiftly moved into pole position for Maatsen’s signature having agreed a £37.5 million fee with Chelsea for the defender.

How close is Maatsen to joining Villa?

With a fee now agreed between Villa and Chelsea, all that stands in the way of a potential deal is personal terms.

Soon after announcing a price-tag agreement, Romano reported that Villa have already offered Maatsen a six-year deal and are underway with player negotiations.

🚨🟣🔵 More on Ian Maatsen. Aston Villa have already started initial talks on personal terms.

Six year deal offered, details to follow on Thursday with formal proposal being sent to player’s camp.

Chelsea will receive £37.5m fee if all goes to plan on player and #AVFC side. pic.twitter.com/q9NAqDFaan

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 19, 2024

Despite the deal not yet fully confirmed, Romano also reported in April that the left-back wants to be playing regular football, making a transfer away from Chelsea extremely likely this summer.

With Lucas Digne and Alex Morena both struggling to make the Villa left-back spot their own, Maatsen will be quietly confident that could be playing regular Premier League football if he was to join this summer, as well as once again playing in the Champions League.