Report: Chelsea target English Star ahead of Club World Cup | OneFootball

Gittens remains Chelsea’s top target ahead of deadline

As the summer transfer deadline looms, Chelsea have intensified their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, even after their £42 million bid was rejected by the German club. According to Sky Sports, talks between the two clubs continued throughout Deadline Day, with Dortmund now holding out for a fee close to £55 million (€65 million).

The 20-year-old England U21 international has reportedly made his intentions clear, telling Dortmund he wants to leave and join Enzo Maresca’s squad at Stamford Bridge. Gittens is eyeing a place in Chelsea’s plans for the FIFA Club World Cup, preferring that opportunity over staying in Germany.

Dortmund’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl cancelled a planned media appearance on Tuesday, indicating the seriousness of ongoing negotiations. Gittens, meanwhile, appeared at the training ground but only took part in individual running drills, suggesting his focus may be elsewhere as talks progress.

Sky in Germany reported, “Gittens was at the club’s headquarters on Tuesday ahead of training,” and despite being present, his involvement was minimal. That detail underlines the growing expectation that his exit could be imminent.

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Maignan interest collapses due to valuation gap

While Chelsea remain determined to land Gittens, their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan has officially ended. Despite the player’s strong desire to move to Stamford Bridge, the deal fell apart over a disagreement in valuation.

Chelsea were reportedly offered the French international and placed his worth between €10 million (£8.46 million) and €15 million (£12.7 million). Milan, however, were unwilling to settle for that figure. As a result, Chelsea decided not to submit an official bid.

Sky Sports stated, “Chelsea never made an official bid for the 29-year-old and they refused to consider paying more than their valuation for a player who has just one year left on his AC Milan contract.”

This is not a position the club had originally intended to address this summer. Chelsea already have five goalkeepers on their books: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Had Chelsea pushed through with Maignan’s signing, it would have triggered yet another change in an already crowded goalkeeping department. This latest decision to abandon the deal reflects a more measured and strategic transfer approach from the club hierarchy under Maresca’s guidance.

Maignan, who joined Milan from Lille in 2021, boasts a solid pedigree, including a Ligue 1 title and a Serie A crown. He has also made 32 appearances for France and was named in the Euro 2024 team of the tournament. Despite that, Chelsea felt the fee was not justified for a player nearing his 30s and with just one year remaining on his deal.

Chelsea’s firm stance on Maignan is in contrast to their aggressive pursuit of Gittens, a move that aligns with their wider strategy of investing in youth. At just 20, the winger fits the profile of a player who can grow within the club’s evolving structure under Maresca.

With the Club World Cup on the horizon and a need for dynamic wide players to complement the current squad, Gittens could prove to be a key acquisition. The urgency of the pursuit and the player’s willingness to move suggest this could be one of the more significant late-window deals.

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, the pursuit of Jamie Gittens feels like a breath of fresh air. At a time when the club is focused on rebuilding with younger, hungrier players, Gittens ticks all the right boxes. His speed, technical ability and eye for goal would be a major boost to Maresca’s plans, especially with the Club World Cup providing a global platform. The fact that he wants to play for Chelsea, rather than remain at a Champions League regular like Dortmund, shows ambition and belief in the project.

On the other hand, walking away from Mike Maignan is probably the right call. Despite being a top-class goalkeeper, paying over the odds for a 29-year-old with a year left on his contract doesn’t make financial or sporting sense. Chelsea already have decent cover in goal and must avoid falling into the trap of accumulating players without clear first-team futures. There’s a sense of maturity and pragmatism in the club’s current decision-making that bodes well for long-term success. The club’s refusal to bow to inflated demands, while still chasing top youth talent, signals a coherent and disciplined transfer policy fans can finally rally behind.