Chelsea are considering another loan spell for their highly rated left-back Ian Maatsen after rejecting an offer from Burnley, according to The Athletic.
Maatsen was a key part of Vincent Kompany’s side that secured Premier League promotion after winning the Championship during his season-long loan spell with the Clarets.
The 21-year-old won the heart of the supporters at Turf Moor after racking up four goals and six assists in 39 Championship games, and the club are keen to make his stay permanent.
Burnley are open to bringing Maatsen back either permanently or on loan and have seen a bid worth £15 million plus add-ons turned down by Chelsea, who value the defender at £20m.
However, the Clarets are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s asking price. Despite raking in a massive windfall from their top-flight promotion, Burnley are keen to spread their budget prudently, with several areas of the squad needing reinforcements.
Burnley have already signed Jordan Beyer on a permanent transfer from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach after triggering the €15m option inserted in the initial loan deal.
Michael Obafemi, who joined on an initial loan deal from Swansea City during the January transfer window, has also become a permanent addition to Kompany’s squad.
Chelsea have not ruled out keeping Maatsen, but the youngster could struggle to make his mark in the first team, with Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella ahead in the pecking order.
There is also midfielder Lewis Hall, who has made a lasting impression as a left-back, leaving Maatsen to ponder his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Maatsen could stay as Chilwell’s understudy, but that would require selling Cucurella, which will prove problematic considering the Spanish defender only joined in a big-money move last summer.
Chelsea are open to sending Maatsen on another loan spell to assess their options before deciding on his future at the end of next season.
