Next Chelsea transfer could be completed 'imminently' as agreement reached

Chelsea appear to have made great progress in the race to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old winger was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the Club World Cup, but the Blues couldn't wrap up a deal before the tournament deadline.

Gittens, whose contract at Signal Iduna Park expires in June 2028, featured 32 times in the Bundesliga this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. Playing a key role in Niko Kovac's side, he helped the German club finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

While the England Under-21 international didn't feature as much as he would've wanted towards the end of the campaign, he still managed to catch Enzo Maresca's eye. football.london understands that Chelsea are preparing a fresh offer for Gittens.

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Despite having recently had a £42 million bid rejected by Dortmund, the youngster remains the Blues' primary target. It's thought that the west Londoners have already verbally agreed on personal terms, with Gittens understood to be very keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge.

Talks with the Bundesliga outfit are ongoing, and they want £50m for his signature. The Athletic reckon that Gittens could join Chelsea 'imminently', and there is hope that an agreement between the two clubs can be reached swiftly.

The report claims that Bayern Munich are also interested in signing the Englishman. But, Gittens reportedly favours a move to west London and remains 'fully committed' to the idea of joining Maresca's squad, with a seven-year contract on the table.

The Dortmund sporting director recently provided an update on the Chelsea target's future. When asked about Gittens during a training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Sebastian Kehl quashed rumours that he's held talks with Bayern.

"I'm not currently in contact with Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl," said the 45-year-old, as quoted by the Metro. "But otherwise we have a very good relationship. Nevertheless, there's nothing to say on the subject at the moment."

Eberl left the Club World Cup and returned to Germany a few days prior, and Kehl confirmed that Dortmund's managing directors, Hans-Joachim Watzke and Carsten Cramer, had done the same.

"They're both traveling a lot, they have many appointments, but will be back soon," added Kehl. "This has to do with many issues. These aren't transfer issues. We're already following them here."

Chelsea could be about to grant Maresca his transfer wish. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Blues' 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC earlier this month, the Italian was quizzed on the summer transfer window.

Maresca claimed that he wants to sign a new winger following Jadon Sancho's return to Manchester United. As quoted by the BBC, the Chelsea boss said: "Jadon is not with us. So, for sure, that's a position that probably we need to do something.

"Also, because Misha [Mudryk] is not with us. At this moment, we have Noni [Madueke], Pedro [Neto] and Tyrique [George] as proper wingers. So, for sure, something is going to happen."