Chelseas are reportedly optimistic about signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens after overcoming competition from Arsenal. Gittens, who had an impressive season with 12 goals and five assists, has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising wide attackers, continuing the trend of English talents thriving in the Bundesliga before returning to the Premier League.
Arsenal had been keen on the forward, eyeing him as a potential rival to Gabriel Martinelli in Mikel Arteta’s lineup. However, Gittens has decided to reject their interest in favor of a move to Chelsea.
According to The Boot Room, Chelseas is close to finalizing a deal with Dortmund, with negotiations focusing on a fee around €45 million (£37 million). While Chelsea’s initial offer was about €35 million (£29 million), it is expected that a middle ground will be established shortly.
Gittens has reportedly agreed to a seven-year contract with Chelsea and is anticipated to join the team in time for their Club World Cup campaign. His decision to sign long-term with Chelsea has disappointed Arsenal, as it seems he has chosen to bypass their interest entirely.
Meanwhile, Dortmund is looking to finalize a transfer for Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham—Jude’s brother—as part of their preparation for the Club World Cup, with expectations that Gittens will be gone by Tuesday. Chelsea sustained interest in Gittens appears to have paid off, with recruitment chief Joe Shields being an admirer and the club having conducted thorough checks on the player.
According to TBR’s Graeme Bailey, Gittens “firmly believes he can progress at Stamford Bridge,” despite Arsenal’s pursuit. “Chelseas have done their homework on Gittens and were very impressed with everything that came back,” Bailey said. “Gittens genuinely believes that Stamford Bridge is where he can elevate his career, and although Arsenal made a significant push, Chelsea was always his favored choice.”
This move will also see Gittens reunited with Liam Delap, who recently joined Chelseas after a standout season at Ipswich Town. The two previously played together in Manchester City’s academy and have been teammates for England’s youth sides, most recently in a 4-1 win over Austria, where Gittens played as a substitute while Delap started.
As Chelseas continues to keep an eye on Alejandro Garnacho’s situation at Manchester United, Gittens has emerged as their primary target for the left wing in recent weeks, with a deal looking increasingly imminent. Arsenal, on the other hand, finds itself grappling with yet another missed opportunity in the transfer market.
