Aston Villa move to tie down Maatsen with new deal after Manchester United's interest emerges

Aston Villa are set to offer Ian Maatsen a new contract after Manchester United registered interest in the Dutch left-back, according to reports, with the window closing on 1 September.

Maatsen, 24, is already tied to Villa Park until the summer of 2030, but United are said to have tested his availability as they search for cover at left-back before the deadline. The former Chelsea defender started Villa’s opening Premier League fixture — a 4-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion — before being substituted late on for new signing Matteo Ruggeri.

Villa paid Atlético Madrid around £17 million for Ruggeri, but the club appear to view the Italy international as a replacement for Lucas Digne, who has rejoined Paris Saint-Germain, rather than a direct challenger to Maatsen’s starting place.

United’s need for a left-back remains pressing. Luke Shaw has started the club’s last 39 Premier League games, yet has no recognised backup, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui only able to fill in as makeshift options. Harry Amass is expected to leave on loan, and Carlos Baleba has been floated as a last-resort solution.

Other targets have drawn blanks. Alejandro Balde is available at Barcelona, but the Spanish club want a permanent sale while United prefer a loan. Both Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had been on the club’s radar, will remain at their respective clubs this summer.

Sources close to Old Trafford suggest any incoming left-back at this stage would be a stop-gap — most likely a loan — serving purely as backup rather than as competition for Shaw’s starting berth.

Former United left-back Patrice Evra has publicly urged the club to act, singling out Hall as the ideal recruit. “He gives you 90 minutes, guaranteed — that’s the kind of left-back Man United need,” Evra said. He also questioned Shaw’s current form, adding: “I love Luke Shaw, but I love Man United even more, that’s why I’m saying they need another left-back.”