Chelsea agree deal to sign Jamie Gittens from Dortmund

Chelsea have agreed on a deal in the region of €65 million with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jamie Gittens on Saturday, after the German club earlier turned down two bids from the Premier League club, according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins

Earlier this June, Dortmund turned down an initial offer worth €35 million, with Chelsea following it up with a reported second bid of €50 million, which was believed to have been rejected.

Meaning, the two clubs were unable to agree on a deal for Gittens before the first window closed on 10 June.

Talks between the two clubs progressed in the United States, where both clubs are participating in the Club World Cup, and despite Bayern Munich showing strong interest, a deal has now been agreed for the 20-year-old to move to Stamford Bridge on a long-term deal.

An agreement between the two sides comes amid the west London club’s search to strengthen wide areas following the decision not to exercise their obligation to sign Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho permanently.

The England Under-21 international contributed 12 goals and provided five assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for Dortmund last season.

The 20-year-old is expected to sign a seven-year contract with the Blues, following an earlier reported seven-year agreement in principle with the former Chelsea academy and Manchester City winger.

Gittens has previously been affiliated with the Stamford Bridge outfit, having been on Chelsea’s books as a youth player before making the switch to Manchester City.

He moved to Germany in 2020, following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho, and broke into the Dortmund team in 2022. He is under contract at Dortmund until 2028.

Gittens became the youngest English player to score against Real Madrid in the Champions League, aged 20 years and 75 days, when Dortmund clashed against Real Madrid in October.

His return to English football will see him competing for a place in Enzo Maresca’s side with the likes of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, who currently occupy the wide positions.

Gittens now looks set to become a Premier League player after five years of development in the German Bundesliga with the Yellow and Black army.

With Chelsea’s chase for a right-footed left winger now secured, Maresca’s side can now focus on transfer targets.