Burnley have reportedly agreed a deal with Chelsea for the loan signing of defender Ian Maatsen, with the player set to return to Turf Moor for the 2023-24 term.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan from Stamford Bridge at Vincent Kompany's Clarets, helping them canter to the Championship title ahead of second-placed Sheffield United.
Maatsen started 38 second-tier matches for Burnley last campaign, scoring four goals and providing six assists as the Lancashire club amassed 101 points in the Championship.
The left-back has enjoyed various loan spells during the early stages of his career, spending time at Coventry City and Charlton Athletic before being loaned out to the Clarets for the 2022-23 term.
According to journalist Matt Law of The Telegraph, Burnley are closing in on the loan signing of Maatsen in the final stages of this summer's transfer window, with Kompany's side agreeing a deal with Chelsea.
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The report claims that the deal would include an obligation to buy the defender at the conclusion of the campaign for a fee of £31.5m including add-ons.
It is suggested that the Blues have secured a sell-on clause in the transfer of Maatsen, meaning that the West Londoners would earn a percentage of any future sale of the young Dutchman.
Maatsen made clear earlier in the summer his determination to fight for a starting spot at Stamford Bridge under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, however it appears that the defender will be on his way out of the club.
The 21-year-old has failed to make any of Chelsea's starting XIs in their first three Premier League matches, although he did feature off the bench against both Liverpool and Luton Town.
Maatsen was handed a berth at right-wing-back for the Blues' 2-1 success over AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, playing the full 90 minutes against lower-league opposition.
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With Ben Chilwell returning to fitness and form on the left side of the Chelsea defence, it is understood that a move away from Stamford Bridge is the only way that Maatsen will receive regular top-flight game time this term.
Kompany looks set to bolster his full-back options ahead of the transfer window closing, with the former Manchester City defender being forced to play natural centre-back Hannes Delcroix on the left side of a back four in the loss against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Following an EFL Cup victory over Nottingham Forest in the week, Burnley will welcome Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur to Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon as the Clarets aim to collect their first points since returning to the Premier League.
Carter White
