Chelsea have reportedly been informed that one of their young full-backs is keen to leave the club permanently this summer.
Ian Maatsen was poached from the PSV Eindhoven youth setup by the Blues in 2018, but as is the case with several of Chelsea's young talents, he endured a series of loan spells before his first-team emergence.
Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley all provided temporary homes for Maatsen, who played a fundamental role in the Clarets' promotion to the Premier League in the 2022-23 season.
The 22-year-old - who made his Chelsea debut in September 2019 - subsequently returned to Stamford Bridge and forced his way into Mauricio Pochettino's plans, making 15 appearances in the first half of the season.
Despite his potential and versatility - being able to play in an offensive and defensive role on the left flank - Maatsen made just one Premier League start before leaving on loan for Borussia Dortmund in January.
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Chelsea to earn £34.5m from Maatsen sale?
Since arriving at Signal Iduna Park, the Dutchman has nailed down the left-back spot in Edin Terzic's side, starting 13 successive Bundesliga matches and also completing the full 90 on four occasions in the Champions League.
Maatsen was among the scorers in Tuesday's 4-2 quarter-final second-leg success over Atletico Madrid, which sent Dortmund through to a tantalising semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, and he also boasts one goal and two assists in German top-flight action this term.
The left-back's impressive exploits in the yellow strip will seemingly mean little for his Chelsea future, as journalist Patrick Berger claims that he has already made up his mind about his Stamford Bridge future.
Having quickly settled in Dortmund, the 22-year-old is determined to leave Chelsea for good, and the Blues have apparently been informed as such as their German counterparts prepare to trigger his release clause.
Chelsea could apparently earn between €35m (£30.2m) and €40m (£34.5m) for the sale of their academy product this season, which would help to offset their significant financial losses.
Which players could follow Maatsen out of the exit door?
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After another period of significant spending without the success on the field to match, Chelsea reported a pre-tax loss of £90.1m for the 2022-23 financial year, although the club insist that they remain compliant with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Nevertheless, the pressure is ramping up on the Blues to make a plethora of sales this summer, and out-of-favour home-grown players will seemingly be the first names for the chop, as their exits would be recorded as pure profit.
Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah have been important players for Pochettino in 2024, but Chelsea should be open to offers for both, especially as the former's contract only runs until the end of next season.
Chalobah's fellow defenders Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva will likely depart as well, albeit for smaller fees, while Lewis Hall's loan to Newcastle United will soon be made permanent for £28m.
Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja - four players also plying their trades elsewhere - will be candidates for the axe too.
Ben Knapton
