Chelsea agree terms & submit bid for Arsenal-linked forward

Chelsea have made an official bid to sign Arsenal-linked Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and agreed personal terms with the winger, according to reports.

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David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Chelsea have submitted an official proposal to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and they’ve already agreed a seven-year contract with the winger.

Gittens is reportedly keen, and he’s only interested in joining Chelsea at this point.

The winger had been linked with a number of other clubs, including Arsenal, but the Gunners never seemed to progress their interest into a serious move to sign him.

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Dortmund are willing to sell, as they believe Gittens isn’t a natural fit for Niko Kovac’s preferred system at the club. Yet there’s no agreement so far.

Talks are ongoing, but Dortmund haven’t accepted Chelsea’s bid as it stands. Sky Sports News report that Dortmund want €50-60m (£42.2-50.6m) for the transfer, and a new offer is expected from Chelsea soon.

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Gittens could have been available for less if Dortmund had missed out on Champions League football, which was still a very real possibility up until the final game of the campaign.

The player’s release clause of more than £50m would have dropped in that scenario, and dropped even further if they missed out on Europe altogether. Perhaps that would have led to Arsenal deciding his signing was good value for money.

As it turned out, Dortmund snuck into fourth on the final day and the club are standing firm on their valuation. It seems Chelsea are the only suitor likely to pay the money.

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