Mauricio Pochettino accepted a summer bid for one of his Chelsea stars who could leave for free in less than a year’s time.
Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen to bolster their options on the left flank. Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino could have sold Maatsen for just under £32million during the summer, but he may leave for free once his current contract expires in June.
A series of successful loan spells finally convinced Chelsea bosses to give Maatsen his shot at Stamford Bridge this season. Stints at Charlton Athletic and Coventry City were both positive, but it was a successful promotion push with Burnley last campaign that put the Dutchman’s name on the map.
Chelsea went as far as accepting the proposal, which involved a season-long loan and a £31.5m obligation to buy, but Maatsen turned it down in favour of fighting for his future at Stamford Bridge.
The refusal to force him out of the exit door could come back to bite Pochettino and co. With a matter of months remaining on Maatsen’s contract, Sport claim that Barcelona are considering him as a summer transfer option at left-back.
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