Chelsea have reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund to sign highly rated winger Jamie Gittens in a deal worth £55 million.
The 20-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in London later this week, having already agreed personal terms on a seven-year contract. Gittens had been identified as Chelsea’s top attacking target following Jadon Sancho’s return to Manchester United after his loan spell at Dortmund.
Dortmund had previously rejected a £42 million offer from the Blues, but talks progressed with both clubs settling on a £55 million fee, just shy of the German side’s initial £60 million valuation.
Despite the agreement, Gittens will not be eligible to feature in the remainder of Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, as he already played in the tournament for Dortmund.
The move comes amid uncertainty over Mykhailo Mudryk’s future, as the Ukrainian winger remains provisionally suspended following a failed drug test and is awaiting FA disciplinary proceedings.
Gittens becomes Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer window, following the arrivals of striker Liam Delap, midfielder Dario Essugo, and defender Mamadou Sarr. Midfielder Andrey Santos has also returned to the squad after a loan spell at Strasbourg.
The Blues are not done yet in the market. Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian is expected to arrive after the Club World Cup, while Chelsea are actively pursuing a versatile forward, with Brighton’s Joao Pedro topping the shortlist. They are also keeping tabs on Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt and West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus.
A defensive reinforcement could also be added before the close of the window.