Borussia Dortmund talent Jamie Gittens has ignored Arsenal’s interest to instead pursue a move to Chelsea this summer.
Jamie Gittens enjoyed an excellent season for Dortmund last term, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists, a player who is following in Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham’s footsteps.
As a result of his form, Arsenal have shown interest in Gittens, a left winger who could have potentially come in to compete with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli.
However, TBR Football revealed at the end of last month that Chelsea were pushing to sign Gittens, a race they are now on the verge of winning.
Dortmund and Chelsea are close to reaching a deal for Gittens, who in principle has already agreed to sign a seven year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Jamie Gittens ‘preferred’ a move to Chelsea over Arsenal
Graeme Bailey – TBR Football chief correspondent, understands that Chelsea have opened talks at around €35m (£29m), but Dortmund would like to do business at €45m (£37m).
Chelsea are already planning for Gittens to be part of their Club World Cup squad and they are looking to finalise a deal for the English winger by Monday.
Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images
Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images
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Dortmund want to sign Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland in time to feature in their own CWC campaign, and the German side expect Gittens to have left by next Tuesday’s deadline.
That being said, Bailey has now provided further insight into Chelsea’s latest addition, who always ‘preferred’ a move to west London over Arsenal.
Bailey explained: “Chelsea have done their homework on Gittens and they were very impressed with everything that came back.
“Joe Shields has long been a huge fan, but the club have done their due diligence on the player.
“Gittens firmly believes he can progress at Stamford Bridge and although Arsenal made a push for him, Chelsea were always seen as his preferred option.”
Jamie Gittens will be reunited with Liam Delap at Chelsea
Of course, Chelsea will have Liam Delap in their squad for the CWC following his own recent arrival from Ipswich Town.
And Gittens and Delap do have a history of playing alongside each other.
The pair both came through at Manchester City where they played in the same U18s team, and the duo have also represented England together at various age categories too.
Gittens and Delap last played alongside each other for England U21s last September during a 4-1 win over Austria.
Delap played 71 minutes up top and Gittens came on as a second half substitute, a duo who should know each other very well.
Sources have told TBR Football that whilst Chelsea retain interest in Alejandro Garnacho at Manchester United, the club made Gittens their top left wing target last month.