Chelsea are hoping to sign Jamie Gittens this summer, but Borussia Dortmund have so far rejected their advances and sporting director Sebastien Kehl has given an update
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Jamie Gittens
Chelsea are pursuing a deal for Jamie Gittens(Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastien Kehl has spoken out about Jamie Gittens' future after his move to Chelsea fell through before the Club World Cup. Gittens had agreed personal terms with the Blues and appeared to have his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
However, Dortmund rejected a £42million bid for the 20-year-old earlier this month as the Bundesliga side are holding out for a higher fee. As a result, Gittens has travelled with Dortmund to the Club World Cup and came off the bench in their opening game against Fluminense which ended 0-0.
And Dortmund sporting director Kehl has now lifted the lid on talks he held with Gittens in the aftermath of Chelsea's failed bid. "We've had one or two conversations with Jamie in the last few days," Kehl told Fussball Transfers, as per Sport Witness.
"He's professional enough to know he has to perform. That's also in his nature. Jamie will be important for us in this tournament. And we'll see what happens after that. But I don't see him as negative."
Discussions remain ongoing between the two clubs about a deal, with Chelsea keen to sign a new winger after Mykhailo Mudryk was charged by the Football Association over a failed drugs test.
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Mudryk tested positive for a banned substance back in November and has not played for Chelsea since. The Blues are planning for life after Mudryk with the 24-year-old now facing a four-year ban and Gittens is their top target.
"We had already one entire season already without Mischa. We are going to decide to go for a winger," Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirmed. "In both cases, we have Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto as proper wingers, then we try to adapt with Tyrique George.
"It's a position we need to improve. I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League final [on May 28]. I didn't speak with him since that time. To be honest, I didn't see the news.
Jamie Gittens playing for Borussia Dortmund against Fluminense
Chelsea failed in their attempt to sign Gittens ahead of the Club World Cup
"They communicated to me last night. But there is nothing at the moment I can add because I don't have more information about that. The last time I spoke with Mischa, as I said, was in Poland and he was quite good.
"I didn't see him worried or at least I didn't see him not good. He was good, he was OK. Since that day I didn't speak with him, so I don't know how he is now. But for sure in the next days, and weeks we are going to have direct contact with him."
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