Aston Villa have reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea to sign left-back Ian Maatsen for a fee between £35m and £40m, which could rise with add-ons as per Sky Sports. The 22-year-old is set to sign a six-year deal at Villa Park, with initial discussions over personal terms described as positive.
Maatsen's arrival is expected to be Villa's first major signing of the summer as they look to strengthen their squad for another push towards the top of the Premier League next season and a potential Champions League qualification bid. The young left-back's signing demonstrates Villa's ambition to compete at the highest level and attract top talent to the club.
In addition to the Maatsen deal, The Athletic reports that Aston Villa are also in talks with Everton over a potential move for winger Lewis Dobbin. The 21-year-old, who scored his first senior goal for the Toffees against Chelsea in December, made 15 first-team appearances last season, with only one Premier League start. Dobbin's versatility and potential have caught the eye of Villa manager Unai Emery, who hopes to unlock the young attacker's abilities.
Earlier this summer, Dobbin spoke about living the dream at his boyhood club and his chances of playing more under Sean Dyche. The Everton manager has been open about players earning their chances through hard work and performing at a high level, which aligns with Dobbin's preferences and motivations.
Dobbin's potential arrival at Villa Park could be part of a separate transaction between the two clubs, as Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is reportedly in advanced talks over a £10 million move to Goodison Park.
The 20-year-old former England Under-20 international struggled to secure regular playing time under Unai Emery and is considered a dispensable asset as Villa look to conform with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) regulations.
Despite some impressive performances against Ajax, Iroegbunam's inconsistent game time makes him a likely candidate for a summer move.
Both Aston Villa and Everton are at risk of breaching PSR rules, which could result in penalties such as points deductions or fines. To navigate these financial challenges, football scout and analyst Ryan Williams has suggested that the two teams could potentially overpay for Dobbin and Iroegbunam in independent cash-deferred deals to satisfy PSR requirements.
While this strategy may provide short-term relief, Williams notes that the amortisation of these fees could have long-term consequences, particularly with the move to the new PSR schema, which will limit clubs to spending 85% of their total revenues on squads.
The Maatsen deal appears to be nearing completion, while the Dobbin and Iroegbunam moves could hinge on the clubs' ability to structure the transactions in a manner that satisfies PSR regulations.
With the transfer window in full swing, both clubs will be keen to finalise their squads and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Premier League season, as they strive to achieve their respective goals and meet the expectations of their passionate fanbases.