Chelsea are in talks with Borussia Dortmund over Jamie Gittens and want to wrap up a deal before both clubs go to the Club World Cup.
Gittens, 20, was the subject of an enquiry from Chelsea in January and it is understood they have approached the German club about a deal in the current window.
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The England Under-21 winger, who spent time in Chelsea’s academy as a child, has been expected to attract bids of more than £50 million, with a release clause of around that value in his contract.
The deal will be a full focus for Chelsea with uncertainty over the future of Jaden Sancho, the former Dortmund player who is on loan from Manchester United and whom Chelsea have a contractual obligation to buy for between £20 million and £25 million – having finished in the top 14 of the Premier League – or pay a £5 million exit penalty fee.
Chelsea have been active in the market early this year, to bolster Enzo Maresca’s squad before the Fifa tournament this summer in America. Liam Delap is set to join from Ipswich Town in a £30 million deal, with Gittens now a target too.
Gittens is one of the latest English talents to start their senior careers in the Bundesliga, having arrived at Dortmund in 2020 to play in their development teams.
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A year ago he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final, which was somewhat overshadowed by Sancho facing Jude Bellingham in the Wembley showpiece. Earlier this season he became the youngest English player to score in the tournament – aged 20 and 75 days – when he netted against Real Madrid.
Gittens
Gittens has Champions League experience, including a goal against Real Madrid - Getty Images/Ralf Ibing
England interim coach Lee Carsley name-checked Gittens in interviews before Thomas Tuchel took charge, and he has also played for the Under-21s. But the Club World Cup, starting on June 14, has priority over internationals which meant Gittens was not included in the squad for the Under-21 Euros.
Dortmund will be at the expanded summer tournament, while Chelsea will play against Los Angeles FC, Flamengo and Espérance de Tunis in Group D.
Chelsea have been in the market for a forward this summer as Christopher Nkunku looks set to leave after two years at the club. They were also looking at Alejandro Garnacho in the January window along with Gittens, with the Manchester United winger also allowed to leave this summer.