‘Chelsea facing Jamie Gittens setback as transfer deadline looms’
Chelsea’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens has hit a stumbling block, with a deadline on the deal fast approaching.
Enzo Maresca is eager to add attacking quality to his squad this summer, as he prepares for his second season in charge of the West London club.
Liam Delap’s move to Chelsea has already been officially confirmed, after the Blues triggered the £30million release clause in his Ipswich contract.
However, the UEFA Conference League champions are not content with bringing in just one forward, and are in advanced talks with Dortmund about bringing Gittens to Stamford Bridge.
Gittens may not play for Chelsea at Club World Cup
On Monday (2 June), the news came out that Chelsea were interested in Gittens, with the Blues looking to wrap the deal up before the revamped Club World Cup begins.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 32 | 8 | 3 |
However, all transfers must be completed before 7pm on Tuesday (10 June), in order for players to be eligible for the competition.
Sky Sports (8 June) journalist Florian Plettenberg is reporting that, after Chelsea’s first bid for Gittens was rejected, Maresca’s side may not be able to sign the winger in time to utilise him at the Club World Cup.
Plettenberg added that Dortmund are open to selling the 20-year-old, but want a fee of around £50m-£60m, so there is currently no agreement between the two clubs, with more negotiations expected in the coming days.
Gittens wants to join Chelsea, and a verbal agreement between the buying club and the player has already been reached.
Chelsea face race against time
Football Insider Verdict
Gittens is not the only player that Maresca wants to bring in before the Club World Cup, with Chelsea hoping to sign Mike Maignan from AC Milan before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Blues play Los Angeles FC in their first game of the tournament, and will also take on Flamengo and
Esperance Tunis in the group stage.
Of course, there will be a number of outgoings at Stamford Bridge this summer to make way for the players joining the club.
Jadon Sancho was sent back to Manchester United after his loan spell, and there are rumours that Chelsea may look to sell Noni Madueke if the Gittens deal goes through.
In the goalkeeper department, all three senior keepers have failed to impress over recent years, but both Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could leave the Blues if Maignan comes in.