Aston Villa make contact to sign Chelsea defender

Aston Villa have reportedly made contact with Chelsea over a potential deal for Ian Maatsen this summer.

Maatsen spent the back end of last season with Borussia Dortmund on loan where he was hugely impressive.

Dortmund have opened talks to sign him permanently, but they are reluctant to trigger his £35 million release clause.

This has opened the door for other clubs to enter the race and it is now claimed that Villa have made their move.

The Blues are currently in talks with Villa over striker Jhon Duran.

With Villa enquiring over Maatsen, there is a possibility that there could be a straight swap deal between the clubs.

Duran has already made his mind up to join the Blues this summer. Maatsen may not refuse a move to Unai Emery's side too.

The Villans are back in the Champions League after more than four decades and they should be a lucrative destination for him.

We won't be surprised if the deals are negotiated separately such that the clubs can balance their books before June 30.