Chelsea handed Hugo Ekitike transfer update as Jamie Gittens ‘plan’ hatched

Chelsea’s summer transfer window has got off to a quick start, as we have come to expect from the west London club in recent years.

Having been presented with the option to move to Manchester United, Liam Delap chose the Blues and that deal was completed with time to spare, before the Club World Cup kicks-off a week on Monday. However, Chelsea are not done there and they have more deals that they are looking to complete.

In our latest look at the media headlines, football.london examines two transfers which could come to fruition in the summer window – before or after its break;

Frankfurt set their price for Ekitike

According to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Chelsea have opened talks with Eintracht Frankfurt’s centre-forward Hugo Ekitike. It’s understood the club and the player are in discussions over a proposed move.

Despite contrary belief, talks have not broken down between the parties. However, the Bundesliga side are sticking to their valuation of £84m for the striker.

football.london says: Chelsea could well be building a very exciting front-line to accompany Nicolas Jackson next season if Ekitike was to join. He would offer the Blues something different that they don’t currently have and should alleviate some of the pressure on Delap upon his own arrival this summer.

Totting up 22 goals in 48 appearances in Germany is a decent return, but as we all know that form does not always translate to the Premier League. At 22, there’s still plenty of potential there, but you have to feel that the Blues will need to talk Frankfurt down from £84m to get the deal done.

New Gittens transfer plan emerges

Elsewhere, it appears Chelsea are advancing in their bid to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. Fabrizio Romano understands that the Blues are set to include add-ons to try and get Dortmund to accept their offer.

Enzo Maresca’s team are currently preparing to improve their initial offer of £29.5m.

football.london says:If Chelsea managed to pull this move for Gittens off for less than £40m, it would be a piece of really good business all around from them. Having chosen not to go for Jadon Sancho, the Dortmund youngster appears to be a very good alternative. If he continues his current trajectory, missing out on Sancho will, in turn, be considered as a very good move.