German side reach verbal agreement for Chelsea star

Chelsea booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Championship side Preston North End on Saturday. 

After a frustrating first half, Armando Broja’s header put the Blues ahead at Stamford Bridge, before veteran defender Thiago Silva doubled their advantage.

Raheem Sterling then added a third with a delightful free-kick, before Enzo Fernandez tapped in from close range to complete the rout.

Chelsea will find out their fourth round opponents on Monday evening, but in the meantime it appears that one of their academy graduates could soon depart the club.

According to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenburg, Ian Maatsen’s proposed move to German side Borussia Dortmund is close to being completed.

Maatsen is expected to join German side Borussia Dortmund on loan this month 

The journalist claims that a verbal agreement has been reached that will see the Dutchman join Dortmund on an initial six-month loan deal.

Maatsen, 21, is a product of the Blues’ academy but has failed to ever establish himself in the first team at Stamford Bridge.

Having previously spent time on loan at both Charlton Athletic and Coventry City, Maatsen enjoyed a superb breakthrough season at Burnley last term.

The left-back helped the Clarets achieve promotion to the top flight under Vincent Kompany, but he has played just 15 times across all competitions so far this season.

Plettenburg claims that further talks between Dortmund and Chelsea have been positive, and that an agreement should soon be finalised.

Maatsen’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, and it appears that Chelsea could soon cash in on the player in a bid to avoid losing him for free next year.