Aston Villa dump 21-year-old La Liga player for slightly more experienced profile

With Jesús Vázquez signing a contract extension with Valencia, the Spanish media now recalls Aston Villa’s interest in the 21-year-old

Marca writes that earlier this year, while looking for a new left-back, Unai Emery’s side had the player high on their wish list, and even got to know the conditions for a summer transfer.

However, Aston Villa decided to pay more to get a player with a little more experience. So they targeted Ian Maatsen, who belonged to Chelsea and just had a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, and spent €44.5m to bring him to Villa Park.

That’s surely a lot more than they would have paid for Vázquez, who’s currently valued by Transfermarkt at €3m, but who would also be a bet, given that he only has 53 matches in the first team.

Maatsen may only be 22-years-of-age himself but he has a lot more first team experience.

The Spaniard has now signed a contract with Valencia until 2028. Marca highlight that other clubs from Spain were interested in him, but the Mestalla side have big trust in his future.

Now we shall soon see if Aston Villa made the right choice by spending big on Maatsen’s arrival.