‘Talks Ongoing’ – Chelsea Pushing to Complete £55m Signing Today | OneFootball

Chelsea Pushing Hard to Land Jamie Gittens: Late Drama Unfolds

Chelsea remain firmly in pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol, with the Blues undeterred by Dortmund’s rejection of a £42 million offer. With just hours remaining before the 7pm transfer deadline, the West London club are intensifying negotiations to try and force a breakthrough.

Per Sky in Germany, the Bundesliga side are holding out for £55 million, and despite no agreement as yet, Chelsea are pressing forward with real intent. Significantly, Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl’s scheduled press conference was cancelled, a move that will only increase speculation over a potential last-minute departure.

Gittens, 20, was spotted at Dortmund’s training ground earlier today, though he reportedly only took part in light running drills. Sky in Germany captured the winger out on the field, but he appeared to be distant from the core of the session. One source suggested the player is “preparing for all eventualities.”

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Chelsea’s Vision and Maresca’s Ambitions

This latest attempt to sign Gittens aligns with Chelsea’s renewed recruitment strategy under Enzo Maresca, focusing on highly talented players in the 18 to 22-year-old bracket who fit the club’s technical identity and long-term vision. Gittens, who has impressed in patches at Dortmund, is seen as a player with enormous upside and Premier League potential.

Chelsea’s scouts have monitored the player extensively, and his ability to beat a man, combined with direct running and pace, fits the profile of wide players the club are targeting. The move is also reminiscent of Chelsea’s calculated gamble on Cole Palmer last year, a player who has since become central to their creative output.

Though Dortmund have so far resisted offers, the fact that Gittens did not fully participate in today’s training hints at movement behind the scenes. In transfer dealings, optics often tell a story, and a partial session under full media glare is rarely a coincidence.

Dortmund’s Stance and Possible Shift

The German giants have remained publicly resolute, but privately there is acknowledgement that Chelsea’s persistence could bear fruit if the offer increases closer to their valuation. As Sky Germany reports, talks are “ongoing now about agreeing a deal today.”

In truth, Dortmund are under no real pressure to sell. Gittens has several years left on his contract, and he remains a player they value highly. However, Chelsea’s financial package, combined with the player’s own aspirations to return to England, may yet tip the balance.

This is now a battle of brinkmanship, with each hour bringing us closer to a definitive outcome.

What This Means for Chelsea’s Attack

Should a deal be finalised, it would mark another bold move by the Chelsea hierarchy. Gittens could be integrated as early as next week if the medical and formalities are completed in time. His addition would not only provide depth but also competition for places, particularly with injuries and form fluctuations affecting the wide areas.

The club’s pursuit sends a clear message: under Maresca, Chelsea are not just rebuilding but doing so with an aggressive, front-foot approach. Signing Gittens would be a statement that they are serious about pushing into the upper echelon of the Premier League again.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Chelsea supporter, this report is pure adrenaline. There’s nothing like a deadline-day pursuit to reignite excitement, and Gittens is exactly the kind of player that fits the blueprint Maresca seems to be following. Young, explosive, English, and hungry to prove himself — it’s a recipe we’ve seen work before.

The £42 million offer shows intent, but let’s be honest, if we really want him and believe he’s worth it, bridging the gap to £55 million makes sense in today’s market. We paid big for the likes of Mudryk and Jackson, and with Gittens already seasoned in the Bundesliga, there’s less risk attached.

Seeing Dortmund’s sporting director cancel a press session? That screams movement. We’ve seen this before. It’s almost classic transfer theatre — hold the line publicly, negotiate hard privately. If Gittens is in London by midnight, nobody would be surprised.

With Palmer thriving and Nkunku edging back to fitness, imagine adding another weapon to the attack. The future under Maresca could be very bright indeed. Let’s get it over the line.