- Borussia Dortmund has no first option to hire Ian Maatsen
- The Dutchman’s release clause is open to all clubs that are interested
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Borussia Dortmund will be without a first option on Ian Maatsen this summer as Chelsea’s £35m release clause is open to any club interested in the 22-year-old left-back.
Maatsen enjoyed an excellent loan spell in Germany but suffered an unfortunate end to the season in Saturday’s Champions League final when he played the errant pass that saw Real Madrid score their second goal at Wembley Stadium.
Maatsen had impressed before that mistake and Dortmund, more than happy with his overall work, want to keep him. They are the favorites to secure a permanent transfer but could still face competition for the Chelsea loanee, who is being eyed by clubs in the Premier League and La Liga.
The position of Chelsea’s new head coach Enzo Maresca is not yet known; his appointment will be confirmed this week, but the current expectation is that Maatsen will be sold this summer.
In the Champions League final, Maatsen was helped by Karim Adeyemi, who provided protection until his substitution in the 72nd minute.
Jose Mourinho mentioned during his TNT Sport analysis how Real’s Rodrygo struggled to secure one-on-one chances with Maatsen due to Dortmund’s coverage on the left.
Although not excused, Maatsen’s error came ten minutes after Adeyemi came on, with some suggesting it could be a result of fatigue and not a lapse in concentration usually associated with the left-back.
That one moment should not overshadow an otherwise impressive season from Maatsen, who was a regular starter in the Dortmund setup after being loaned out in January.