Advanced talks held as Manchester United transfer target’s future closer to being resolved

Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks over a new contract for Ian Maatsen after recent transfer interest from Manchester United.

The Red Devils were linked with a number of left-back targets over the summer but ultimately failed to bring any of them in, so it remains a position they’ll surely be looking at for upcoming transfer windows.

Man Utd were notably linked with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as one of their top targets, but moved for him too late in the summer, according to the Athletic.

Manchester United were among clubs interested but #AVFC will not sell Maatsen. Decision made. pic.twitter.com/gigzZaNfMO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026

?? Aston Villa consider Ian Maatsen as key player; untouchable and he will not be sold this summer.

Manchester United were among clubs interested but #AVFC will not sell Maatsen. Decision made. pic.twitter.com/gigzZaNfMO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2026

Maatsen has been a key player for Villa and could surely have had a positive impact at Old Trafford, so this latest update looks like bad news for United.

Football Insider note that Maatsen’s current contract at Villa Park runs until 2030, so they’re not under huge pressure to sell anyway, but it seems they’re very much aiming to give him a new deal to fight off interest from MUFC or anyone else.

Who could Manchester United sign at left-back?

It perhaps seems unlikely that Maatsen was United’s top target, even if he was someone they considered at one point towards the end of the summer.

The Dutchman is probably not quite in the same league as someone like Hall at Newcastle, so that will probably continue to be a name worth watching out for.

Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trust

There has also been some interest in Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, as Romano reported exclusively for CaughtOffside, though the Spain international’s preference for now has been to stay at the Nou Camp.