One Chelsea player has become a club’s top priority for the summer transfer window.
It could be good news for the Chelsea owners, who may have to sell some assets in the coming weeks.
Since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took over the Blues, the club have spent a lot of money on signings.
Chelsea now need to make sure that they do not breach the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, hence why they could be forced to sell some players this summer.
The likes of Ian Maatsen, Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku have all spent time away from Chelsea this season, making them candidates to go. Broja could be sold for less than £30m, it has been claimed.
Chelsea player being prioritised over Manchester United star
Like Chelsea, Manchester United have also sent players out on loan.
That includes Jadon Sancho, who is still at Borussia Dortmund as the German club gear up for their last game of the season, the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Maatsen is also at Dortmund, and journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that the Bundesliga outfit have made the left-back their No.1 target ahead of Sancho, though their opening offer will not match Chelsea’s £35m release clause.
On X, he said: “Dortmund’s number one goal is to sign Ian Maatsen. They also want Jadon Sancho, but Maatsen is the priority of the two.”
Borussia Dortmund’s position on Ian Maatsen a surprise
Dortmund wanting to keep hold of Maatsen comes as no shock. He has done well there since arriving in January.
In total, Maatsen has made 22 appearances, scored a few goals and provided a couple of assists for Dortmund. It is not bad for a full-back.
The 22-year-old is quite versatile as well, able to play at left-back and further forward.
However, Sancho is a £73m attacker who has done so well for Dortmund in the past. In his penultimate season at Signal Iduna Park, the England international scored 17 goals and provided 16 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances.
He has not got to that level again, but being someone who can make a difference, it is a surprise to hear that Dortmund are prioritising Maatsen over him.