Chelsea’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens has hit a fresh obstacle, with Bayern Munich emerging as a serious contender for the £51m-rated forward. The 20-year-old Englishman has grown frustrated with limited playing time under Niko Kovac and is now considering a return to the Premier League.
Reports indicate that Chelsea have already reached personal terms with Gittens and made two failed bids for the youngster. However, Dortmund remain firm on their valuation, demanding a fee close to €60m (£51m) before entertaining offers.
Bayern’s growing interest has further complicated Chelsea’s hopes. With Barcelona likely to sign Nico Williams, the Bavarian giants are now weighing up Gittens as a potential alternative. But according to Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, no formal contact has yet been made with Bayern regarding the player.
Speaking from Dortmund’s Club World Cup training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Kehl stated, “I’m not currently in contact with Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl… there’s nothing to say on the subject at the moment.”
Gittens is under contract at Dortmund until June 2028 and remains part of the club’s plans during the ongoing tournament. Kehl has held recent discussions with the player and insists Gittens remains focused and professional, despite the mounting transfer chatter.
Bayern, meanwhile, are casting a wide net as they seek to strengthen their attack, with AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, PSG’s Bradley Barcola, Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma also on their shortlist. Eberl, who was expected to stay with the team during the Club World Cup, left the U.S. abruptly to attend to club matters in Germany.
As Chelsea push to finalize a deal, Bayern’s movements in the market could force a bidding war for Gittens. Despite the uncertainty, Dortmund are holding their ground, hoping to either keep the winger or maximize his value if he departs this summer.