Manchester City and Liverpool set to battle for Chelsea star in the January window - Reports

Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is reportedly on Manchester City's and Liverpool's radars as the January transfer window looms large, according to TEAMTalk.

Maatsen's previous stint at Turf Moor is well-documented and Burnley ardently desire to bring the Dutch international back into their fold. However, the Clarets' precarious position near relegation seems to be a deal-breaker for Maatsen.

The player himself is said to be uninterested in anything less than a top-tier engagement, according to insiders.

Burnley notably had a generous £31.5 million offer greenlit by Chelsea, only for it to fizzle out in a direct phone conversation between Vincent Kompany and Maatsen. Despite an impressive loan spell at Burnley—42 appearances, four goals, six assists—Maatsen conveyed his intent to stay at Stamford Bridge.

This season has seen the young star clocking a mere 248 minutes over eight appearances for the Blues. However, his talent has seen Manchester City remain hawk-eyed, having already engaged in preliminary discussions with Maatsen's representatives last July. The Etihad outfit are keen to pull the trigger if conditions are favorable.

Meanwhile, the Anfield outfit are also gearing up for potential action. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly been vocal about injecting more talent into his left-back options. Sources have revealed that Maatsen is on Klopp's wishlist, should the Merseyside club opt to make moves in the transfer market.

In summary, Ian Maatsen could find himself caught between two titans of English football as the January window inches closer.

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Liverpool and Chelsea zero in on Schalke prodigy Assan Ouedraogo, amid Manchester United interest

Premier League powerhouses Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly sizing up a move for Schalke 04's young sensation Assan Ouedraogo. The player's release clause is said to be fluctuating between €7m and €20m based on various conditions, with Manchester United also showing interest.

Sky Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg (via Sports Mole) unpacked the details of Ouedraogo's intriguing release clause, revealing that it hinges on several pivotal factors.

Should Schalke 04 clinch European qualification next season by winning the DFB-Pokal, the midfielder's release clause escalates to somewhere between €9m and €12m in 2024.

Failure to qualify would peg his release clause at a relatively modest €7m. However, the wild card in the deck is the possibility of the clause rocketing to €20m, should Ouedraogo earn a senior cap for Germany. He has notably played 10 games for his club this season,

Liverpool are actively exploring options, as Klopp contemplates life after Thiago Alcantara, whose contract runs out next summer. Chelsea continue their talent hunt, with co-owner Todd Boehly's deep pockets already investing upwards of £250m on midfielders alone.