Aston Villa eyes Borussia Dortmund full back for 2024/25 season

Aston Villa qualified for the UEFA Champions League after 41 years. The Lions were amazing in the 2023/24 season in the English Premier League they finished 4th in the league table after a poor pre-season. After Manchester City defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the all-important game, they secured their place in the top-tier European competitions for the 2024/25 season. They were not part of Europe's premier club competition since the European Cup was renamed the Champions League in 1991-92.

They last appeared in the European Cup 41 years ago, in 1982-83, after winning the previous season. Villa finished second and fourth in the Premier League in 1992-93 and 1995-96, respectively, although only first place advanced to the Champions League in both seasons. The Villians ahead of the next season have started preparing for some incomings in the club. Unai Emery's side has targeted Chelsea full-back Ian Maasten as one of the priorities for the side. 

The club has been negotiating with the Blues to get the service of the footballer. Borussia Dortmund is interested in bringing Maatsen back after a successful loan spell in the second part of last season. He helped them to the UEFA Champions League final. The Dutch footballer joined Dortmund on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 season. The Blues included a £35 million release clause in his contract. 

Aston Villa leading the race to sign Maasten

The West London side is expecting the release clause amount, from the clubs that are interested in signing him for the upcoming season. As per Fabrizio Romano's latest statement, "Not only Borussia Dortmund, still keen on Ian Maatsen. Understand Aston Villa is pushing for a Dutch left-back as one of their summer targets.#AVFC have already discussed Maatsen with Chelsea during talks for Jhon Durán — and negotiations continue for Maatsen."

Chelsea will be up for more signings under their new coach Enzo Maresca, hoping to bring back the club's glory days in the upcoming season and has already listed some of the footballers he wants in the summer transfer window. There will also be some outgoings for the club to maintain the FFP.