‘Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool in race to sign Borussia Dortmund star’
Chelsea have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues have begun working on a deal for the 20-year-old.
Gittens is widely expected to return to the Premier League this summer for the first time since leaving Man City in 2020, with teams queuing up for his signature.
Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool will step up efforts to sign Gittens when the window opens after keeping an eye on his performances this season.
However, Chelsea have now moved ahead in their efforts to bring him to West London as Enzo Maresca wants to add a new wide attacker to his squad.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Noni Madueke could leave Chelsea at the end of the season amid interest from Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Chelsea lead race to sign Dortmund star Jamie Gittens
Brown told Football Insider in January that Gittens is open to joining Chelsea and is interested in the possibility of returning to England.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted the Blues have moved ahead of their rivals to get a deal done.
“Chelsea look like they could have another busy window,” he told Football Insider.
“Maresca wants to sign a new winger because there are questions about where he sees Madueke and Sancho in his plans for the future.
“One name who has been on their radar for a while is Jamie Gittens.
“Lots of teams had the opportunity to sign him when he left Man City a few years ago, but he ended up making the move to Germany.
“After the season he’s had for Dortmund, there are a lot of teams in for him.
“He’s come into the team and has been playing regularly, so teams have been assessing him and I expect him to move back to England.
“Liverpool are one of those teams I’ve heard have been having a look, but I think the interest from Chelsea is a bit more advanced.
“From what I hear, they’ll be working on that deal behind the scenes and they’re aiming to get ahead of teams like Liverpool to sign him.”
Enzo Maresca eyes Kevin de Bruyne swoop after Man City news
Another player Chelsea have been linked with a move for ahead of the summer transfer window is Man City superstar Kevin de Bruyne.
Brown told Football Insider on 23 April that Chelsea are interested in De Bruyne after the 33-year-old announced he would leave the Etihad this summer.
However, a return to Stamford Bridge is considered unlikely at this stage amid comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo’s underwhelming second spell at Man United.
This comes after Football Insider revealed De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in the Premier League and it would be a “surprise” to see him remain in England.
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