Manchester City and West Ham United are reportedly preparing to pounce if it becomes apparent that Ian Maatsen is likely to leave Chelsea in 2024.
Maatsen has spent the bulk of his development on loan at Championship clubs, playing a key role during Burnley's title-winning campaign last season.
While the Clarets were keen to sign the Netherlands Under-21 international on a permanent basis, the player wanted to try to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
As it stands, the 21-year-old has had mixed success, starting two EFL Cup ties and making six substitute appearances in the Premier League, accumulating 84 minutes.
Having featured in all but two of Chelsea's matches this season, Maatsen appears to be in Mauricio Pochettino's plans, but his contractual situation complicates matters.
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Chelsea officials would have been happy to sell the left-sided player for £31m in the summer with just a year remaining on his contract.
Unless he pens fresh terms by the start of 2024, Maatsen will again be put up for sale, yet the Dutchman may prefer to wait until the summer where he could become a free agent.
In recent days, it has been claimed that Barcelona are monitoring the situation, aware that there is potential to sign a highly-regarded versatile talent for nothing.
Nevertheless, according to TEAMtalk, Man City and West Ham are currently viewed as the frontrunners for Maatsen's signature.
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The report suggests that Maatsen is regarding a pathway to regular first-team football as his priority when making a decision on his long-term future.
That may not necessarily be easy to come by at City, who have numerous options at full-back and further down the flank, yet it is indicated that they have been left impressed by Maatsen's qualities.
West Ham United are known to be admirers of the player, too, with the Hammers deemed to be at the head of the queue before Maatsen declared his intent to remain at Chelsea.
However, depending on the amount of game time that he receives from now until January during a period where more senior players should return from injury, that stance may change.
Darren Plant
