Manchester City are monitoring the situation of Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, according to HITC Football.
The Netherlands international has been on loan at Borussia Dortmund since January and the Bundesliga side were keen on securing the player’s services on a permanent basis.
However, despite Maatsen having a £35m release clause in his contract, Dortmund are said to be struggling to come up with the funds required to sign the defender.
HITC report that City and Aston Villa are “waiting to swoop” in if the fullback’s move to Germany falls through over the coming weeks.
Why are City interested in Maatsen?
With the exception of Sergio Gomez, the Premier League champions don’t have a natural left-back in the squad, with centre-halves Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake both having been deployed there last season.
Gomez has even been linked with a transfer away from the Etihad in recent days, with Real Sociedad believed to be interested in the player, so the need for reinforcements on the left-hand side of defence could become even more pressing soon.
Maatsen is an attack-minded fullback and, for that reason, he would suit what the Cityzens are looking for. Furthermore, his relatively low buyout fee makes him an attractive target.
Have City looked at any other left-backs?
Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies is also thought to be an option for the Cityzens. The Canadian international is closing in on the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena and it looks likely that he will be on the move this summer. Real Madrid are, though, reportedly the favourites for his signature.
Wolves Rayan Ait-Nouri is another fullback who has been linked with Pep Guardiola’s side over the last couple of years, but he would probably cost more than Maatsen.
