Fabrizio Romano says Aston Villa are going to make a truly 'exceptional' signing today

Aston Villa have been especially busy on the transfer front over the past week or so.

The Villans finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League, and they will need to strengthen to ensure they can handle the extra workload.

Villa have been spinning several plates of late. They have signed Lewis Dobbin from Everton, who in turn have landed Tim Iroegbunam from the West Midlands club.

The Villans are also still in talks with Juventus over a cash-plus-player deal that should see Douglas Luiz head to Turin and two players move in the other direction.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the other active Villa lead, and it’s good news for the claret-and-blue outfit.

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Ian Maatsen set to sign Aston Villa contract today

The player in question is Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen, who has been the subject of heavy speculation regarding a switch to Villa.

Romano, taking to X, has reported that the Dutchman will sign a six-year contract at Villa Park today.

Romano previously reported that Villa would be paying around £37.5million for Maatsen.

Who is Aston Villa target Ian Maatsen?

Maatsen is a 22-year-old defender who plies his trade for Chelsea and can play at left-back and further up the left flank.

The left-footed Dutchman has been on Chelsea’s books since 2018, joining as a youth player, but has made just 16 senior appearances for the Blues.

Maatsen has spent time on loan at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley before linking up with Dortmund in January.

He was a success at the Signal Iduna Park, helping the Bundesliga side reach the Champions League final.

“It says a lot about how good he is that even a slightly off day stands out as exceptional,” former Sky Blues teammate Simon Moore said in 2021, as per the Bundesliga website.

“It is not normal. The kid is bright, he’s hugely talented, he wants to learn, and he never gives up.”