“Let’s see how things develop…” – Sporting director hints at major business with Chelsea to come | OneFootball

Chelsea have made some signings in some problem areas already this summer, but their chase for a left winger goes on.

It’s pretty clear who their top target is – talk about Jamie Gittens has grown stronger and stronger over the last month.

Dortmund director speaks out over Gittens interest

Jamie Gittens runs with the ball. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Now we have confirmation from the very top – quotes from Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl who spoke openly about the Blues’ recent attempts to sign the winger from his team:

“There was contact with Chelsea FC, who got in touch again yesterday afternoon. We spoke again on the phone and exchanged expectations and different ideas,” Kehl said.

“We looked into it very seriously, but in the end we also made a decision for ourselves. It’s still absolutely OK that Chelsea made this attempt. And, once again, we are in good dialogue. Let’s see how things develop in the future.”

Chelsea and Dortmund prepare for potential war of attrition

So, it sounds like our bid was rejected. But Dortmund are very deliberately keeping the door open to further bids with these quotes. Compared to the usual responses you get, they’re practically begging us to put in another, bigger bid.

This story is already heading into its second month, and it doesn’t feel like it’s going to end soon. We’ve clearly identified him as someone we want, and Dortmund are not going to let go for anything less than the maximum they can get.

We hope it doesn’t – but this could really drag on now, especially with the pressure of getting a deal done ahead of the Club World Cup now having dissipated. It’s important we don’t get sucked into a drawn out battle over prices which ends up with us either overpaying or short in an important position.