Chelsea could strike five swap deals as Ian Maatsen ‘set to be offloaded’

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Chelsea are reportedly willing to offload defender Ian Maatsen in January with five clubs from around Europe expressing an interest in signing the Dutchman, it has been claimed. Reports claim that Manchester City, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Roma are all willing to snap up Maatsen in the upcoming transfer window. The west Londoners might want to ask for a player in return from each club. Express Sport looks at their options.

Manchester City – Matheus Nunes

Nunes is in danger of quickly becoming a forgotten figure at Man City. The summer signing was hauled off at half-time during a 2-1 defeat by former club Wolves in September and has not started a Premier League match since.

According to 90min, City are one of the teams interested in Maatsen. If Chelsea also offload Conor Gallagher in January, as has been speculated, then Pochettino may choose to bolster his midfield with a swap deal for Nunes.

West Ham – Maxwel Cornet

Chelsea were linked with former Burnley winger Cornet before he joined West Ham in the summer of 2022. The 27-year-old’s versatility could be beneficial to Chelsea and he would effectively replace the squad role currently occupied by Maatsen.

Cornet has played just a minute of Premier League football for West Ham this season and while Chelsea would surely prefer team-mate Jarrod Bowen, a swap deal for the Ivory Coast international would be more realistic and provide Mauricio Pochettino with strength in depth.

Borussia Dortmund – Jamie Bynoe-Gittens

Chelsea could add some homegrown talent to their ranks by asking Borussia Dortmund for winger Bynoe-Gittens. The England U21 international previously spent time in the Blues’ academy, as well as spells at Reading and Manchester City before joining Dortmund in 2020.

Bynoe-Gittens, 19, has played in just seven Bundesliga games this season, scoring once. He would be an exciting attacking addition to Pochettino’s squad.

Napoli – Piotr Zielinski

Pochettino is crying out for some experience in his team and in the 29-year-old Poland international Zielinski, he would certainly be getting some. The midfielder is coming towards the end of his contract at Napoli, who may be tempted to give him away in a swap deal that sees them sign Maatsen.

Zielinski has played in 15 Serie A matches this season but with no contract extension signed, he may wish to seek a new challenge after nearly eight years in Naples.

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Roma – Andrea Belotti

A player once tipped to sign for Chelsea at the peak of his powers, Belotti would be able to ease the scoring burden from the young shoulders of Nicolas Jackson. The 29-year-old plays a squad role at Roma and might welcome a change of scenery.

If Maatsen ends up at Roma, Chelsea should ask for Belotti in return. Six goals in 17 appearances across all competitions despite his relative lack of starts prove that he would be able to find the net.

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