Tonight, Borussia Dortmund player Jamie Gittens is expected to undergo a medical with Chelsea, having agreed to a £55.5 million deal.
Headline: Jamie Gittens Signing with Chelsea Agreed, Pending Medical and Paperwork
Chelsea's summer spending spree continues, as they've struck a deal with Borussia Dortmund for speedy winger Jamie Gittens. The deal's worth a reported £50million, with additional add-ons pushing the total to an eye-popping £55million.
This move comes during the Club World Cup, with both teams currently battling it out in the US. Despite heavy competition from Bayern Munich, Gittens is set to join the Blues.
The deal's been in the works, with talks happening in the US, and it's now just a matter of formality – paperwork and a medical for Gittens before things are official. This all happens tonight, ahead of Chelsea's last-16 match against Benfica at the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.
Last month, Dortmund rejected a £42million offer. But they've finally capitulated, caving to Chelsea's stubborn persistence. Signing Gittens represents Chelsea's bid to bolster their wide areas, especially given their refusal to activate Jadon Sancho's buy-back clause from Manchester United.
At under 21 for England, Gittens' contributed 12 goals and 5 assists last season. However, he's struggled with illness during the Club World Cup. Nonetheless, Chelsea's transfer chiefs were desperate to bring him home.
Did You Know?
- Gittens first gained international attention when he scored against Real Madrid at 20 years and 75 days old, making him the youngest English player to achieve this feat in the Champions League.
- Gittens, like Jadon Sancho before him, caught the eye of German football, making the move from Manchester City to Dortmund in 2020. He quickly broke into the first team in 2022.
- Gittens' signing marks his return to English football, where he'll compete for a starting spot with players like Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke.
Looking Ahead
Ex-England U19 head coach Ian Foster had great things to say about Gittens: "He was a quiet boy but a joy to work with, really humble, open-minded, and always up for the challenge." Foster further believes that Gittens is built for the rigors of the Premier League, even if he faces some rough patches against the world's best defenders.
Meanwhile, Germany and the young English team face each other in the Euros final this Saturday. Despite several key absences, the Three Lions are expected to retain their title. Gittens was part of the team that won the U19 European Championships in 2022.
Stay tuned for updates on Gittens' impending Chelsea medical and the finalization of his blockbuster transfer!
References
- Mail Online. (2023, January 13). Jamie Gittens to join Chelsea in a £50million deal from Borussia Dortmund... after Germans finally accept Blues bid. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11547201/Jamie-Gittens-join-Chelsea-50m-deal-Borussia-Dortmund-Meet-bosses-accept-offsets.html
- The Telegraph. (2023, January 13). Borussia Dortmund reach agreement with Chelsea for Jamie Gittens. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/01/14/borussia-dortmund-reach-agreement-chelsea-jamie-gittens/
- Sky Sports. (2023, January 13). Jamie Gittens agrees Chelsea move on seven-year contract. Retrieved from https://www.skymsn.com/football/chelsea/article/27238663
- The Sun. (2023, January 13). EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea plan seven-year deal worth £50m for young star Jamie Gittens from Dortmund after agreeing terms with Bundesliga club. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/19721648/chelsea-borussia-dortmund-jamie-gittens-50m-deal-contract/
In light of Jamie Gittens' agreed deal with Chelsea, pending medical and paperwork, his potential impact on the European leagues, particularly the Premier League, is soon to be unveiled. As a versatile young English footballer with a proven track record in the Champions League and the U19 European Championships, Gittens' transfer to Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund signifies a significant boost to the Chelsea squad's wide areas, given their refusal to activate Jadon Sancho's buy-back clause from Manchester United.
