Liverpool are set to “rival” Manchester City for the services of Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen, according to TEAMtalk.

The website claims that the 21-year-old is “set to leave” Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens in January, despitethe Blues having triggered an option to extend his contract for another year until 2025.

Maatsen has not committed his long-term future to Chelsea and, despite his club accepting a £31.5m bid from Burnley in the summer, he has decided to wait it out for another team who are not struggling against relegation.

TEAMtalk report that the Dutchman “is an option” for Liverpool, who are keen to bring in more cover at left-back. City’s interest, meanwhile, goes back to the summer when some preliminary discussions were held with the player’s agent.

Would Chelsea sell Maatsen to a rival?

The fullback will have 18 months remaining on his current deal in the New Year, and the Blues are likely to be willing to offload him if they can get a decent price.

Rival Premier League teams have been doing business with each other more and more often recently, as we saw when City sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea, so there is a possibility that Liverpool and the Citizens could both be in with a shout of buying Maatsen.

Do Liverpool need another left-back?

Kostas Tsimikas signed a new four-year contract only last month, so the Greek international is unlikely to be sold anytime soon.

Andy Robertson has had surgery on a dislocated shoulder but he is expected to be back in action at the start of January, so Maatsen wouldn’t be needed to replace him. The Chelsea player could, though, be seen as a long-term replacement for the Scotland captain, who will turn 30 in March.

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