Borussia Dortmund has been urged to capitalize on its latest prodigy, with predictions of a hefty transfer on the horizon.
The Bundesliga team has become a breeding ground for exceptional talent, particularly from England, with Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham serving as prime examples of its profitable youth strategy.
Both players have moved on, with Dortmund pocketing a staggering nearly $200 million from deals with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Now, 20-year-old Jamie Gittens is tipped for a similar path. Former Dortmund academy coach Gary Gordon, in conversation with The i, praised the nurturing environment at the club under the management of former Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin.
"He's in good hands. I worked with Nuri Sahin when he was coming through the youth ranks at the club - he knows what the club is about, he knows how important it is to nurture young players like Jamie," said Gordon.
"He also knows that he needs to make the most of him because these kinds of players don't hang around for long. It won't be long before he follows Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham out of the door. But he's definitely at the right club. And at the right time too."
Gittens, who joined Dortmund in 2022 after developing his skills at Reading, Chelsea, and Manchester City academies, has had his progress hampered by injuries in his initial seasons.
Jamie Gittens has been in brilliant form for Borussia Dortmund this season
Jamie Gittens has been in brilliant form for Borussia Dortmund this season (Image: Getty Images)
The winger only managed a total of five goals in his first three seasons out in Germany, but he's really hit his stride now. Having bagged eight goals so far this season - including a belter against Bayern Munich - and adding four assists to his tally, it's no wonder that he's caught the eye of Sahin.
The Dortmund boss said: "You need 1-on-1 players who have speed. He's maturing in his game. We talk a lot about risk and reward. When do I go into the 1-on-1, when do I prepare for it? When he gets rolling, he's a fantastic player. He's also made huge strides defensively."
In the midst of this breakout campaign, the rumor mill's been in full swing, with Sky Germany recently floating speculation that Liverpool could be one of many Premier League clubs - alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham - keeping tabs on him, and buzz about initial conversations over a transfer already taking place. The England U1 ace isn't going anywhere suddenly though, with his contract running until 2028.