Maatsen ties up £37m switch
Aston Villa have completed a £37million deal to land Dutch international left-back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea, writes GRAEME BRYCE.
The 22-year-old Dutch international is currently in Germany preparing for the Netherlands’ Euro Championship last-16 tie with Romania on Tuesday.
But he completed the formalities of his six-year-deal last night and will strengthen Villa’s squad for their Champions League campaign next season.
Maatsen impressed Unai Emery with his form on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season, where he made it all the way to the Champions League final, before losing 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley.
The Dutchman was named in the UEFA Champions’ League team of the season and his arrival will be seen as a coup for Emery and his transfer guru Monchi.
The German giants were keen to sign him on a permanent deal, with last season’s head coach Edin Terzic describing Maatsen as the best left-back in the Bundesliga.
But Dortmund could not afford the £37million fee and reluctantly had to stand back and watch Villa snap up the highly rated full-back who has previously been on loan at Charlton, Coventry City and Burnley.
Palace ‘stand firm’ on Olise asking price
Michael Olise joining Bayern Munich faces one major hurdle.
Crystal Palace are reportedly insisting on £50million for the 22-year-old winger, who was a surprising absentee from France’s Euro 2024 squad.
Arsenal and Manchester City are amongst the Prem clubs linked with Olise.
Wolves ‘option to buy Jorgen’
Jorgen Strand Larsen’s switch from Celta Vigo to Wolves has reportedly been agreed.
The Norway winger, 24, is poised to move on a loan deal with an option to purchase for about £25million.
Strand Larsen netted 13 goals times in 37 La Liga games last term.
He’s expected to fly in for a medical next week.
Arsenal and Man Utd in Barca battle
Barcelona centre-backs Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo could get caught up in a transfer web involving Manchester United and Arsenal.
That’s the claim from Spain tonight – with the Gunners linked to Frenchman Kounde and United said to be monitoring Uruguayan Araujo.
It’s suggested Arsenal have made contact with Barca over their target, who played in 35 of his club’s 38 LaLiga games.
Kounde also played in all three of France’s Euro 2024 group games this month.
But it’s reckoned Barcelona might only consider selling him if they keep Araujo.
And for now Barca are said to have knocked Arsenal back.
Meanwhile, fellow 25-year-old Araujo is just one of a few big names thought to be on the Red Devils’ list to replace Raphael Varane.