Aston Villa reach ‘total agreement’ to finalise Premier League transfer
Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of a Premier League left-back following an agreement with Chelsea.
Unai Emery is set to get his wish as Villa have now concluded negotiations over personal terms with Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen, who is set to join on a six-year deal.
The Villans had an offer of £37.5 million accepted for the Netherlands international earlier this week and talks have been underway with the player and his representatives since. A breakthrough has been reached, meaning left-back Maatsen can now undergo a medical and put pen to paper on his contract.
This is according to transfer news journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has now dished out his famous ‘here we go’ slogan for the deal. It’s a big-money addition for Villa and one that fans perhaps wouldn’t have expected as the club continues to struggle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), but it’s being completed nonetheless.
Currently out in Germany representing the Netherlands at the UEFA European Championships, Maatsen will be happy to have gained sureties over his future. The 22-year-old, who spent the second half of the season just gone on loan at Borussia Dortmund, was involved in the recent UEFA Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley.
Everton have completed the signing of midfield starlet Tim Iroegbunam from fellow Premier League club Aston Villa.
The 20-year-old joins the Toffees for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £9m, and has put pen to paper on a three-year deal until the end of June 2027.
Iroegbunam becomes Sean Dyche’s first signing of the summer transfer window and will link up with his new teammates when they report back to Finch Farm for the start of pre-season next month.
Everton have moved quickly to secure the services of Iroegbunam who spent three years at Aston Villa, including a loan spell at Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the 2022-23 season.
Iroegbunam, an England Under-20 international, was integrated into Unai Emery’s first-team squad last season and made 15 appearances in all competitions, including one start and eight substitute outings in the Premier League.
Speaking to evertontv after sealing his move to Goodison Park, Iroegbunam said: “I’m very pleased. Everton is an amazing club, a big club and I’m just really happy to join and I can’t wait to get started. It was a move that I didn’t want to pass by. I wanted to take the opportunity.
“When I spoke to Kevin [Thelwell], he told me more about the club – its history, the future and where they see me playing. It made me feel very excited because there are big things coming, especially with the new stadium.
“When I’ve been to Goodison as an opposition player, I’ve seen how the Everton fans are. You can tell straight away what the atmosphere is like – they are always backing the team. I’m going to work hard for them.
“I just can’t wait to get started. I’m going to give everything and I can’t wait to show what I can bring to this club.”
Dyche added: “We’re pleased to add Tim to our midfield options. He is a young player who is still learning and developing but clearly has a lot of the qualities we want in that area of the pitch.
“My coaching staff and I are looking forward to starting to work with him in pre-season.”
