Jamie Gittens: Favourites to sign Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Man Utd target revealed after asking price slashed | OneFootball

Chelsea have been billed as leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund's sought-after winger Jamie Gittens, who has had his asking price slashed in half according to a report in Germany.

The England Under-21 international has waded through a mixed campaign. After an early burst of goals while Nuri Sahin was at the helm, including one against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Gittens has fallen out of favour under new manager Niko Kovac.

The pragmatic Croatian boss has recently shifted Dortmund into a back-three formation with two central strikers, removing the left wing role which Gittens thrives in entirely. This tactical incompatibility and Dortmund's likely failure to qualify for the Champions League has supposedly prompted the ambitious forward to request a move this summer.

A glut of Premier League clubs have been linked with the former Manchester City academy player. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been credited with varying degrees of interest, yet Chelsea are thought to be the leading candidates to secure Gittens' signature, as reported by BILD journalist Christian Falk.

Chelsea's pursuit of the 20-year-old has been boosted by Dortmund's lowered demands. Once tipped to depart for as much as €100m (£85.7m) - more than Jadon Sancho or Erling Haaland commanded - Gittens is now thought to be available for just €50m (£42.9m).

The Blues are very much in the market for more attacking options. Enzo Maresca's side are thought to be targeting a new winger and central striker this summer. Mykhailo Mudryk's uncertain future, which remains unknown after he failed a drugs test earlier this season, and the potential departure of Christopher Nkunku leaves an obvious gap in the squad on Chelsea's left flank.

Unlike Kovac, Maresca is wedded to a 4-2-3-1 system which boasts an obvious role for Gittens, who would be competing with the likes of Pedro Neto and Sancho, another Dortmund alumni, for a starting berth.