Manchester City monitor versatile Chelsea full-back entering final 12 months of contract

Premier League champions Manchester City are now reportedly keeping a close eye on developments concerning highly-rated Chelsea full-back Ian Maatsen.

The two clubs have done plenty of business over the past couple of seasons, with some deals coming to fruition while others have simply collapsed at various stages of negotiations. Most recently, the two Premier League giants came to an agreement over a move for Cole Palmer.

The England under-21 international reached an agreement over an Etihad Stadium exit in search of more promising game-time this season and in future, with the London club sanctioning a deal worth £42.5 million.

Palmer to Chelsea followed in the footsteps of Raheem Sterling’s move to Stamford Bridge just one year prior, and it now seems as though the two clubs could be locked in talks at some stage in the coming few months.

That is according to a new report from 90Min this week, who claim that Manchester City are among the sides monitoring the contract uncertainty surrounding Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, who has 12 months remaining on his current Stamford Bridge deal.

Chelsea had agreed a deal late on in the recent summer transfer window with Burnley over an initial loan move for Maatsen followed by a permanent transfer worth £31.5 million next summer. However, the player himself rejected the opportunity to return to Turf Moor.

Now, as reported by 90Min, talks between the young defender and Chelsea over a new contract will continue ‘over the coming weeks’ and ‘sources close to the situation’ believe Stamford Bridge officials are ‘hopeful’ an agreement will be reached ‘soon’.

Left-back has been a problem position for Pep Guardiola since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016, however the Catalan coach found a solution during the second-half of the last campaign that ultimately led to the greatest rewards.

Nathan Ake often operates in the left-back position for Manchester City, while the signing of Josko Gvardiol adds a different option for Etihad coaches across the various competitions that they expect to pursue this season.

Alongside the pursuit of the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup this season, City will also be looking to claim their first ever FIFA Club World Cup, to add to their success in the UEFA Super Cup last month.