Jamie Gittens is reportedly still on Chelsea’s radar, with the club now aware of the price tag attached to the young talent.
The 20-year-old is making waves at Borussia Dortmund after a brief spell at Chelsea’s academy. Gittens has been impressive in the Champions League this season, scoring his first two goals in Dortmund’s 3-0 victory over Club Brugge back in September.
He currently has four goals and one assist in the competition, as Dortmund look set to advance to the round-of-16 following a 3-0 win over Sporting Clube de Portugal in the first leg of the play-off. Despite not finding the net, Gittens played for 65 minutes and will be eager to start again in Wednesday’s second leg.
While his performances in Germany haven’t yet earned him an England call-up, they have piqued the interest of several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. However, BILD reports that Dortmund would only consider selling the winger if they receive a €100million (£83m) offer.
Gittens’ contract with Dortmund runs until 2028, but Sky Germany suggests he’s keen on a move to the English top-flight this summer. That said, Dortmund are reportedly not ‘desperate’ to let him go.
Dortmund’s managing director Carsten Cramer has dismissed any speculation about Gittens leaving the club soon. “It is our ambition to keep him playing for us for as long as possible,” he stated back in December.
The young player himself confessed that departing England at such a tender age was not an easy decision. “It definitely wasn’t easy. Sometimes, I sit down at my house and think it could have been different,” he reflected. “I am thankful that I am here right now to play football and do what I love and to do it for Borussia Dortmund is even better.
Gittens also credits the Bundesliga for his development as a player. “I think I am much more mature on and off the pitch, more strict about certain things, more game understanding of knowing what to do off the ball as well, defensively and through bad times,” he added.
“I’m not so down because back then I’ll go on my phone after a bad game and see people saying things about me, talking bad about me but now, I never look at it. So the small things I’m getting used to and I’m becoming more of a man in this way.”
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