Aston Villa have announced the signing of left-back Ian Maatsen from Premier League rivals Chelsea for a reported £37.5m. The Netherlands international was part of the Borussia Dortmund team beaten by Real Madrid in last season’s Champions League final during a season-long loan move from Stamford Bridge.
Maatsen, who is currently with his country at Euro 2024 in Germany, becomes Unai Emery’s second summer signing following the arrival of forward Lewis Dobbin from Everton. Villa are preparing for Champions League football next season after finishing fourth in the top flight.
Having joined Chelsea’s academy from PSV Eindhoven in 2019, Maatsen was loaned out to Charlton, Coventry and Burnley, where he helped Vincent Kompany’s side win the Championship and promotion back to the Premier League.
The 22-year-old made 12 league appearances under Mauricio Pochettino last season, before being loaned to Dortmund in January. Maatsen impressed in the Bundesliga and became a mainstay in the club’s run to the Champions League final, scoring in their quarter-final against Atlético Madrid and earning a place in Uefa’s team of the tournament.
Having agreed terms on a six-year contract earlier this month, Maatsen’s arrival increases doubts over the futures of left-backs Lucas Digne and Àlex Moreno. Emery is also looking to add a right-back and midfielders, with Ross Barkley set to join from Luton.
Chelsea, who have bid £30m for Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, have also confirmed that Hakim Ziyech has completed a permanent transfer to Galatasaray following a loan spell with the Turkish club.
Joselu leaves Real for Al-Gharafa
Spain forward Joselu has joined Qatar’s Al-Gharafa on a two-year deal with an option to extend for another year after leaving Real Madrid for a €1.5m fee.
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The 34-year-old scored 10 goals in La Liga last season, and netted a late double against Bayern Munich to take Real Madrid to the Champions League final. After an impressive season on loan from Espanyol, the European champions triggered his €1.5m permanent clause but decided to sell him on for the same price.
“Real Madrid thanks Joselu for his professionalism and his madridismo,” the club said in a statement on Friday. The former Newcastle and Stoke forward is the second Real Madrid player to leave for the Middle East this week, after Saudi side Al-Qadsiah announced the signing of defender Nacho Fernández on Thursday. Reuters