Chelsea Have ‘Made Contact’ with £42m Bundesliga Forward Over Summer Move – Report | OneFootball

Chelsea Eye Jamie Gittens in Potential Chukwuemeka Swap – Smart Business or Another Gamble?

Chelsea have taken decisive early action in pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s rising winger Jamie Gittens, according to Caught Offside. While Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham have been loosely linked with the England U21 star, it’s the Blues who are now making the most assertive moves.

“I have heard that Chelsea are still very interested in Jamie Gittens. His former youth coach at Cobham is said to have already made contact with him,” said BILD journalist Christian Falk. “There is an idea at the club to swap him for Chukwuemeka. So, there might be a swap deal to be made.”

Gittens, 20, has notched 17 goal contributions this season, attracting attention not just for his output but also for his ceiling. The young winger, who developed at Manchester City before moving to Germany, could be on his way back to England — this time to Stamford Bridge.

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Financial Woes at Dortmund Create Opportunity

Dortmund’s financial position could prove pivotal in shaping this transfer window. The German club may be forced to sell key assets, including their emerging English talents. With an estimated price tag of £42.5m–£51m (€50–€60m), Gittens isn’t cheap, but he’s certainly within the bracket Chelsea have operated in before.

Given Dortmund’s history of capitalising on English youth talents — from Jadon Sancho to Jude Bellingham — the potential departure of Gittens feels significant. The timing, too, aligns well with Chelsea’s ongoing squad rebuild under Enzo Maresca.

Numbers Reveal Development Potential

While Gittens’ 17 goal contributions (goals and assists combined) might not be elite by Premier League standards, context matters. The young winger has averaged a goal contribution every 159.76 minutes — comparable to Jadon Sancho’s 159.42. Though Nkunku leads this trio with a contribution every 107.31 minutes, his favoured position lies centrally rather than on the flank.

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The comparison may not scream ‘instant upgrade’, but Gittens is four years younger than Sancho and still maturing in top-flight football. Given Maresca’s emphasis on high-intensity pressing and technical development, the youngster could thrive at Cobham.

Chukwuemeka’s Future Now in Doubt?

The mention of Carney Chukwuemeka in this proposed swap deal is telling. Once hailed as a major midfield talent, his Stamford Bridge career has stalled somewhat due to injuries and limited opportunities. A move to Dortmund — a club renowned for youth development — might serve him well.

From Chelsea’s side, using Chukwuemeka to lower the cash burden of acquiring Gittens could be a smart play. Dortmund get a Premier League-ready player, and Chelsea take a calculated risk on a winger whose best years are ahead of him.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

There’s a refreshing buzz around this one, isn’t there? Jamie Gittens isn’t just another name on the rumour mill — this feels like a potential masterstroke from Enzo Maresca and the Chelsea recruitment team.

We’ve been crying out for dynamism and intent on the wings, especially with Sancho blowing hot and cold and Nkunku looking miscast out wide. Gittens might not be a finished product, but that’s exactly what makes this exciting. At just 20, with raw pace, dribbling ability, and a directness we’ve sorely missed since Hazard’s departure, he fits the modern Chelsea mould.

Let’s not forget — he’s an England U21 regular and has experience at Dortmund, a club that knows how to grow stars. Think Bellingham. Think Sancho. We could be next in line to benefit from their youth system.

And the potential Chukwuemeka swap? It’s bittersweet. We rate Carney, but sometimes you have to sacrifice depth in one area to gain real quality in another. With Maresca already bringing in a new style of play, Gittens could thrive in a structured, attacking setup.

If this deal goes through, it won’t just be a signing — it’ll be a statement.