Dortmund were unable to negotiate a buy-option within the loan agreement as Chelsea were seeking close to £30m for the Dutchman. BVB chief Sebastian Kehl revealed that this figure was considered beyond Dortmund’s financial reach, as it would have matched the club-record fee paid for Ousmane Dembele back in 2016. The priority now is to secure regular playing time, and the player would prefer to stay at Dortmund.

A summer exit from Stamford Bridge is now seen as highly likely, but BVB may face tough negotiations for both Maatsen and Jadon Sancho unless they can raise cash through player sales, as their values have increased following productive loan spells. Maatsen, in an interview with CBS Sports, discussed his Chelsea future after scoring his first Champions League goal. The Clarets had an initial loan offer, including a £31.5m obligation to buy, accepted by Chelsea, but Maatsen decided to reject the move.

He has scored two goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances for Dortmund this season.