Aston Villa are reportedly preparing to offer Ian Maatsen a new contract after Manchester United expressed interest in the left-back during the summer transfer window. The Dutch international is currently tied to Villa until 2030, but United are understood to have made an enquiry about his situation, according to Sky Sports.
Maatsen's role and Villa's defensive plans
Maatsen featured in Villa's Premier League opener, a 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, before being substituted late in the match for Matteo Ruggeri. Villa paid approximately £17million to Atletico Madrid for the Italian international, who has joined the squad this summer.
Despite Ruggeri's arrival, Villa appear reluctant to part ways with Maatsen. According to Sky Sports, Ruggeri has been brought in to fill the void left by Lucas Digne, who has returned to Paris Saint-Germain, rather than to directly replace Maatsen. This suggests Villa view the new signing as a squad addition rather than a successor to the Dutchman.
Heavy summer departures at Villa Park
Aston Villa have endured a heavy summer of departures, including the club-record £117m sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea. The club has also seen the exits of Emi Martinez, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins, leaving Unai Emery with a significantly reshaped squad.
Amadou Onana is also out for the long term after suffering an ACL injury at the World Cup, further stretching Emery's options. Leon Bailey is expected to follow the other departures before Tuesday's transfer deadline, with Sevilla and Al Diriyah both keen on the Jamaica international.
Bailey's uncertain future and Villa's next steps
Bailey is entering the final year of his Villa contract. If he does not leave permanently now or agree to a one-year extension, he would walk away for free next summer. Villa made Bailey available earlier in the window after a difficult loan spell at Roma, where he failed to secure a regular starting role before being recalled.
He was then left out of Villa's pre-season tour of the Far East, signalling his place in the pecking order. Last season he started only three Premier League matches, scoring once in 19 appearances across all competitions, and his stint at Roma brought similar struggles for minutes.
Emery's side are back in Premier League action on Monday night, hosting Arsenal at Villa Park with an 8pm kick-off.
