Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle to sign England U21 star Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
Enzo Maresca instructed the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to sign a new winger after sending Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United.
Sancho was hoping to earn a permanent move to Chelsea after his season-long loan spell but flattered to deceive in west London.
Despite his inconsistent performances, Chelsea were still open to keeping the 25-year-old at the club but talks over a permanent deal broke down.
As a result, Chelsea decided to pay Manchester United a £5m penalty to send him back to Old Trafford.
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Dortmund star Gittens has emerged as Chelsea’s No. 1 target for the winger position but the Premier League club had been struggling to strike a deal with the Bundesliga side.
Chelsea saw their first two offers rejected by Dortmund, who insisted on Gittens’ £55m release clause being activated.
Chelsea were hoping to shave some pennies off that figure but have now decided to meet Borussia Dortmund’s demands, according to talkSPORT.
The Blues are not rushing the deal as Gittens has already featured for Dortmund in the Club World Cup, meaning he would not be able to play for Maresca in the United States.
But Gittens may still link up with his new Chelsea teammates in the US, with the Blues preparing the second part of his medical.
Chelsea remain interested in signing another attacker as several players – including Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix – look for moves away from the club.
They are considering a move for Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, who would support new £30m signing Liam Delap.
Maresca has also expressed interest in bringing a new goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
Martinez has been heavily linked with Manchester United but Chelsea have also been offered the World Cup winner, who is valued at £45m.
talkSPORT say Chelsea ‘respect’ Martinez but do not currently plan to make an offer for the Argentina international.
The links with Martinez come after Chelsea failed in a deal to sign France No. 1 Mike Maignan from AC Milan.
Maresca wanted Maignan to come in and replace Robert Sanchez, who endured a poor 2024-25 campaign despite Chelsea qualifying for the Champions League.
Chelsea thumped Benfica 4-1 on Saturday to finish second in Club World Cup Group D and progress to the quarter-finals.
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