Chelsea star who runs out of contract in 2024 identified as transfer option by Barcelona: Reports
Barcelona are reportedly monitoring Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen who has just eight months left on his contract.
According to SPORT, the Blaugrana are studying Maatsen as a potential option to sign next summer. The Dutch youngster's contract expires on June 30 and the La Liga giants have received excellent scouting reports on him.
Maatsen, 21, was linked with a move to Premier League club newcomers Burnley in the summer. However, he turned down a transfer to Vincent Kompany's side, preferring to remain at Stamford Bridge.
The Netherlands U21 international has come in and out of Mauricio Pochettino's side this season. He's started two (both in the League Cup) of eight games across competitions. He boasts versatility as he can play at left-back, attacking midfield, and as a winger.
Chelsea already possess Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella as left-back options. Pochettino has used Levi Colwill as a makeshift left-back while Chilwell has been nursing an injury.
It appears that Maatsen has attracted the interest of Barcelona who could launch a move next summer. He impressed on loan at Burnley in the EFL Championship last season, bagging four goals and six assists in 42 games across competitions.
Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski reportedly turned down Chelsea when joining the La Liga giants
Robert Lewandowski has been in sensational form for Barcelona this season, bagging six goals and four assists in 10 games across competitions. The legendary Polish striker joined the Blaugrana from Bayern Munich in 2022 for €45 million.
However, The Mirror reported that summer that Chelsea failed with an offer to bring Lewandowski to Stamford Bridge. The Blues were on the lookout for a new forward following Romelu Lukaku's departure to Inter Milan on loan.
Lewandowski will have been a massive coup for the west Londoners given their current woes in front of goal. They signed Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal in the summer for €37 million but he's managed just three goals in nine games across competitions.
Pochettino could still be searching for another center-forward in January with many names in the frame. However, Lewandowski likely won't be one of them as he is enjoying a fine spell at Camp Nou.
The 35-year-old was eager to join Barcelona in 2022 and he's been wreaking havoc in La Liga since. He finished as top goalscorer in La Liga last season with 23 goals in 34 league games.