Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their efforts to raid Borussia Dortmund by entering talks to sign highly-rated attacker Jamie Gittens this summer.
On Friday, it was reported that the Blues had initiated contact with the representatives of BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as Enzo Maresca seeks an upgrade on the error-prone Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea have seemingly sensed an opportunity to lure more than one high-value player away from the Signal Iduna Park in the upcoming window, as Dortmund are at risk of missing out on European football entirely next term.
Niko Kovac's side are only seventh in the Bundesliga table, four points below RB Leipzig in the final Champions League spot and two adrift of Mainz 05 in the Conference League qualification berth.
Should last year's Champions League runners-up not earn a ticket to a continental competition next year, their finances will take a huge hit, and they could be forced to sell a few of their most prized assets to balance the books.
Chelsea readying 'tempting' offer to Gittens
© Imago
As well as Kobel and Karim Adeyemi - also linked with a move to Chelsea - Gittens could be sold for a reasonable fee, and Sky Deutschland claims that discussions have now opened between the club and his representatives.
Gittens actually represented Chelsea for six months as a youth player in 2012, but he failed to make the grade in West London and also represented the Reading and Manchester City academy teams before leaving for Germany in 2022.
The 20-year-old is the latest young player to burst onto the scene while playing for Dortmund, having a direct hand in 17 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions this term, 12 of his own and five assists.
However, Gittens has been an unused substitute in each of Dortmund's last two matches, apparently contributing to feelings of unease at Signal Iduna Park, and he is now apparently open to moving elsewhere.
The England Under-21 international still has three years left to run on his Dortmund contract, which entitles him to €3m (£2.6m) per year, but the report claims that Chelsea are 'tempting' him with a mammoth offer of between €6m (£5.2m) and €7m (£6m) per year.
BVB will allegedly consider letting Gittens leave if an interested party comes forward with a bid between €50m (£42.9m) and €60m (£51.5m), but he could stay at his current club if no suitable offer arrives.
How Gittens could fit into the Chelsea attack
© Imago
As is the case with many embryonic players still figuring out their best position, Gittens has been deployed across the Chelsea frontline this season but has predominantly been used on the left-hand side.
The Englishman's arrival at Stamford Bridge would allow Chelsea to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United for a small penalty fee of £5m, as the now-Dortmund man competes with Pedro Neto and Tyrique George on that flank.
Alternatively, Gittens could compete with Noni Madueke on the right-hand side, or even replace him, as the latter has been tipped to explore a summer transfer when the window reopens.
Gittens is no stranger to operating centrally either and could therefore be a viable option in the number 10 position if Cole Palmer needs a rest, which he evidently does if 11 Premier League games without a goal is anything to go by.
Ben Knapton
