VfL Bochum 1848 v Borussia Dortmund - Bundesliga
Jamie Gittens has a release clause worth around £50m (Picture: Getty Images)
Chelsea have opened talks with Borussia Dortmund over a move for Jamie Gittens, the winger who has also attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.
The 20-year-old was born in Reading and spent time in the youth set-ups at Chelsea and Manchester City before moving to Dortmund in 2020.
He made his senior debut for the German club in 2022 and has already racked up over 100 appearances in all competitions.
Gittens enjoyed his most prolific season to date in the campaign just gone, scoring 12 goals in 48 appearances.
However, he did fall out of favour in the second half of the campaign, starting just three Bundesliga games since the middle of February.
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A string of Premier League clubs have been linked with trying to tempt him back to England and Chelsea have made their move.
The Telegraph report that negotiations are underway and the Blues are keen to get a deal done quickly, before the Club World Cup begins.
Borussia Dortmund v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Gittens has quickly built a lot of experience at Dortmund (Picture: Getty Images)
The revamped competition gets underway on June 14 in America, with both Chelsea and Dortmund involved in the tournament.
Gittens is reportedly available relatively cheaply in the current market as he has a release clause worth ‘around £50m’ in his Dortmund contract.
The Blues are looking to move fast and beat the competition to the England Under-21 international, although Arsenal or Liverpool could still make a move.
Liverpool are working on a deal for Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, but may well move for a winger after Luis Diaz’s girlfriend suggested the Colombian is to leave this summer.
Borussia Dortmund v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Bundesliga
Chelsea are pushing for a rapid deal for Gittens (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s priority this summer is a new striker, but are also looking to strengthen on the wing and have been linked with Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, among other targets.
Chelsea look set for yet another busy transfer window, with Liam Delap set to join in a £30m move from Ipswich Town.
The Blues have beaten Manchester United and other rivals to the England Under-21 forward who impressed despite the Tractor Boys being relegated to the Championship.
The future of Jadon Sancho at Stamford Bridge remains unclear, with the England international not particularly impressing during his loan spell from Manchester United last season.
Chelsea have an obligation to buy Sancho for a fee between £20m and £25m, or they will have to pay the Red Devils a £5m penalty if he returns to Old Trafford.
If Gittens is to arrive then Sancho would appear unlikely to stay with competition in wide areas extremely fierce.
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