Chelsea reportedly are set to make an increased bid for Jamie Gittens after Borussia Dortmund turned down their opening offer for the winger.
The Blues are in ongoing talks over signing the England under-21 international after exploring a deal during the winter transfer window. They contacted the player’s entourage to put out feelers before the summer in January.
As such, their interest in the left-sided winger remains, with the west London club wanting to complete a move before the window closes for the Club World Cup on Tuesday.
Sky Germany reports that Dortmund want between €50-60m (£42-50million) after rejecting a bid just below £30million (€35million). BILD, however, claims the initial offer exceeded £35million at €42million, with the Bundesliga club now wanting €70million (£59million).
Sky says the player still wants to join Chelsea, with a verbal agreement reputedly 100 per cent done. Fabrizio Romano states that the west London club have a seven-year contract ready.
What all outlets do agree on, though, is that the Blues will bid again for Gittens soon. BILD highlights how they want the signing completed before Tuesday’s deadline, but Sky suggests the club are willing to wait if there is no breakthrough.
Chelsea and Dortmund are both in the Club World Cup this summer, where they will each be based, at least partially, in Fort Lauderdale during the group stages. The latter have Inter Miami’s training centre as their team base camp, while the Blues will spend time at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, a suburb of the Floridian city.
They are in groups D and F, so the two teams could meet in East Rutherford during the tournament’s semi-finals. Notably, there will be another opportunity to register players for the knockout stages during a restricted in-competition period from 27 June to 3 July.
