
EPL Index
·29. April 2025
Chelsea plot ambitious summer swoop for rising Bundesliga star

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEPL Index
·29. April 2025
Chelsea’s ambition to rebuild under Enzo Maresca has taken a sharp, exciting turn, with TEAMtalk revealing the Blues’ pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. With the Club World Cup looming and a new “exceptional” transfer window offering the chance to act early (June 1st–10th), Chelsea are wasting no time.
Photo IMAGO
Maresca is determined to assemble a squad that can not only chase domestic success but also seriously contend in Europe. Gittens, a 20-year-old London-born winger with a glittering record of 12 goals and five assists this season, is seen as a key piece of that puzzle.
According to TEAMtalk sources, Chelsea view the £35 million valuation of Gittens as “fair” — a clear signal of intent from a club desperate to return to the Champions League elite.
The story of Gittens is almost poetic for Chelsea fans. Born in London, he began his career at Reading before a stint in Chelsea’s youth ranks. After moving to Manchester City, he developed further before making the leap to Borussia Dortmund — a path well-trodden by English talents seeking top-flight opportunities abroad.
Now, with his reputation soaring in Germany, Chelsea see him as an “achievable signing” ready to explode on a bigger stage. His blend of pace, trickery and ruthlessness in the final third fits precisely the profile Maresca wants in his attacking arsenal.
Photo IMAGO
Gittens’ rise mirrors the journeys of Liam Delap and Cole Palmer — both viewed as assets rather than long-term projects by City — and Dortmund’s faith in young talent has clearly allowed Gittens to flourish.
Perhaps the most intriguing subplot is the potential inclusion of Jadon Sancho in negotiations. Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, could be offered permanently to Dortmund in a swap-style deal to ease Gittens’ transfer.
Chelsea are obligated to buy Sancho for £25m unless they opt out by paying a £5m penalty. With Dortmund reportedly interested in bringing their former star back, sources suggest Chelsea have “floated” the idea of using Sancho to grease the wheels.
Photo: IMAGO
“Sources have confirmed that a return to Dortmund would interest Sancho,” the article states — a tantalising prospect that could benefit all parties. However, even without Sancho’s involvement, Chelsea remain fully committed to pushing for Gittens.
Gittens is tied to Dortmund until 2028, but TEAMtalk insist Chelsea are in a “good position” to secure his services. With other European heavyweights circling, acting early in this unprecedented window could prove decisive.
In the wider context, this move signals a shrewd, aggressive shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy, focusing on elite, high-ceiling talents who can contribute immediately, while still growing into the club’s long-term vision.
With Maresca’s blueprint coming into focus, Gittens could well be the first marquee signing of a bold new era at Stamford Bridge.
Jamie Gittens is exactly the kind of signing Chelsea should be making — young, hungry, technically gifted, and crucially, ready to take that next step. Watching him tear it up in the Bundesliga this season has been a joy.
The fact he’s a London boy with a bit of Chelsea history just makes it feel like destiny. Plus, the valuation at £35 million is a no-brainer in today’s market. Compare that to some of the wild fees being thrown around and this could be a steal!
The Sancho angle is fascinating too. Honestly, I think using Sancho to land Gittens would be a masterstroke. Sancho has struggled for form for a while now, and while fans would have loved to see him thrive at Chelsea, Gittens feels fresher, hungrier, and more explosive — exactly what they need to inject into their attack.