Chelsea have Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Jamie Gittens in their sights, but while the England U21 international has already announced his intention to depart in the summer, Arsenal could still provide a sting in the tail.
Gittens has been one of the breakout players in the Bundesliga this season, with the Englishman providing eight goals and three assists for BVB in league play.
His form has fuelled talk of a summer transfer, with Chelsea thought to be leading the way to land the 20-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €68.3 million. Arsenal and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in the player, who has already told his team-mates that he will be moving on, according to Ruhr Nachrichten.
Gittens, who is under contract until 2028, only has his head with Dortmund to a “limited extent” at present. It is claimed that he wants to leave and has made this abundantly clear to his team-mates, having already announced his departure internally.
Along with his agent, a transfer request has already been submitted to BVB.
Arsenal beat Chelsea to Gittens?
Chelsea have been leading the way for Gittens, with the Stamford Bridge club rumoured to have sought a swap deal with Carney Chukwuemeka, who is already on loan at Dortmund. Jadon Sancho could also be sent back to the Bundesliga club for a third spell.
Indeed, it appears that the Blues are doing everything they can to drive the left winger’s price down from Dortmund’s €100m asking price.
They have been warned, however, that Arsenal are still very much involved in this transfer race.
Indeed, it would appear that Gittens himself might prefer a move to the Gunners, who Ruhr Nachrichten claim have even moved into pole position to land him.
It is thought that the player can see himself at the Emirates Stadium and believes that the organisation of the Gunners will better allow him to thrive than at Chelsea.
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While Real Madrid may wish a sale, it may be difficult to manufacture given his large wages and chronic physical unreliability over the course of the last 18 months. Alaba would certainly represent a major gamble for any buying club.
