Chelsea are prioritising a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens after seeing two bids rejected earlier this month.
The Blues made offers of £30m and £42m for the 20-year-old, the second of which arrived on the June 10 deadline ahead of the Club World Cup.
But Chelsea were never willing to rush club-to-club negotiations specifically with the tournament in mind, knowing there was a danger of Gittens’ valuation being inflated in the hours before the window temporarily shut.
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Jamie Gittens in action for Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund are willing to sell Gittens, who is not viewed as a perfect fit within their system, and a package of around €55m (£47m) is expected to stand a chance of success, although the add-ons and structure will prove important in informing the final figure.
Suggestions Chelsea placed a third bid at this number on June 10 are wide of the mark. Talks are ongoing ahead of an expected third offer. Gittens - described as being 'elite' - has already agreed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and is waiting to see if the clubs can agree a fee which would allow him to join head coach Enzo Maresca's side.
Chelsea had also discussed Athletic Bilbao talisman Nico Williams as an option for their right-footed left-winger but have decided against triggering his €58m release clause due to the overall cost of the deal.
Barcelona are pushing for Williams, who has agreed to a reduced salary of €12m-gross, the same figure quoted 12 months ago. It’s unclear whether Barcelona can pull off the finances involved in the transfer, but it is clear that president Joan Laporta wants to pair Williams with his international teammate Lamine Yamal, and has done for quite some time.
Bayern Munich are also exploring a move for Williams, while Athletic Bilbao are prepared to offer him a new deal, as revealed by GMS.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho is another name on Chelsea’s list, while a verbal enquiry was made to Lyon on Malick Fofana. No bid has been placed to date for either.
Chelsea plan on adding another attacker, but in a different kind of profile to new signing Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson. As a result, they have ended their interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
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Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been discussed, but talks are not advanced despite suggestions in Germany of a bid. Liverpool are another club to watch, while Manchester United have made an initial approach. The challenge for all suitors is Frankfurt want €100m.
West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus was also offered to Chelsea, and both Robert Sanchez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were discussed as players of interest to the Hammers. It’s unclear if anything will develop, but West Ham are prepared to sell Kudus for less than his £85m release clause, set specifically for Premier League clubs.
Chelsea will be opportunistic should Morgan Rogers genuinely become available even though Aston Villa don’t wish to sell, and are looking at other exits to satisfy PSR compliance.
Petrovic Has Chance to Seal Permanent Exit
Strasbourg eager to welcome goalkeeper back to France
Djordje Petrovic in action
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s sister-club Strasbourg want to sign Djordje Petrovic permanently following a successful loan spell that saw the 25-year-old named the French club’s player of the season for 2024/25.
The Serbia international is exploring all options, and asked not to travel to the Club World Cup so he could assess his next move. Chelsea and Petrovic have an agreement that he can leave for €30m.
Petrovic also has an issue that needs resolving with his image rights, as GMS revealed. It is unclear at this stage if this will delay an exit or can be resolved after a transfer.
Petrovic will join up with Chelsea for pre-season after the Club World Cup - if he doesn’t switch clubs before. Chelsea don’t plan on reducing his asking price having paid around €17m. The feeling is Petrovic’s value has risen due to an outstanding season with Strasbourg and time spent as Chelsea’s No.1 under Mauricio Pochettino.
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