EXCLUSIVE: Burnley to make move to sign highly rated Chelsea star in January as Clarets reignite interest in player with Vincent Kompany looking to solve left back problem ahead of crucial second half of season

Burnley are set to make a move to sign Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen in the New Year.

Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen, who’s struggled for minutes so far this season, is linked with a potential move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 21-year-old excelled last year during a season-long loan spell with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side, winning the Championship title and promotion to the top division.

Now, he could be offered a route back to Turf Moor in January. Our guess is he’d be a huge signing for a Burnley side in the thick of a relegation battle in the Premier League this term.

The Athletic claims that Burnley are set to make a fresh attempt to sign Maatsen after he rejected them in the summer.

It is explained that Chelsea will need some convincing before selling him because of current injuries to left-backs Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell.

Blues head coach Mauricio Pochettino has mainly used Maatsen further forward as a winger, but he’s a left-back by trade that can provide a decent full-back option.

The Evening Standard claimed in the summer that Chelsea accepted a £31.5million offer from Burnley for Maatsen, but the player preferred to stay in west London to fight for his spot.

Speaking via Football.London in July, Pochettino described Maatsen as a rising talent with “enermous potential”.

Left back has proven to be a problem for Burnley so far this season with Vincent Kompany now keen to find a solution with his side entering a crucial second half of the season which will determine their survival in the Premier League.

The Clarets have improved in recent weeks and are now looking for necessary additions in the January transfer window which will boost their hopes of navigating themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone