Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl says Jamie Gittens’ future is still uncertain, but the winger remains ‘very important’ to the team’s success at the Club World Cup.
Gittens reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea before flying out to the United States and is eager to push through a switch to Stamford Bridge once Dortmund’s involvement at summer’s tournament has concluded.
However, the Blues have seen two separate offers knocked back by BVB for 20-year-old winger and discussions are ongoing behind the scenes with a view to finding a resolution as quickly as possible.
Determined to get their man having already signed Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr, the west London giants are expected to return with a third bid for the England Under-21 international in due course.
It’s understood Dortmund are refusing to be intimidated by Chelsea, though, and will be holding out for a proposal worth in the region of £55m from the Europa Conference League winners.
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‘We’ve had one or two conversations with Jamie in the last few days,’ BVB chief Kehl said following the side’s goalless draw with Fluminense at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
‘He’s professional enough to know that he has to perform. That’s part of his nature.
‘Jamie will still be very important for us in this tournament. We’ll see what happens after that.
‘But I don’t have a negative opinion of him.’
Gittens started on the substitutes bench against Fluminense on Tuesday and was unable to make the difference after being sent on in place of Julian Brandt in the 77th minute.
Niko Kovac could be tempted to mix up his starting XI when Dortmund return to action in Group F against South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
Kehl reassured Dortmund fans that he was ploughing ahead with transfer business while away with Kovac and his squad in the States.
‘My alarm clock goes off very, very early in the day,’ he explained.
‘Of course, I try to keep to European time and get my homework done before the team’s breakfast and routines here.’
The former Dortmund midfielder is ‘confident’ the club can return to winning ways this weekend after dropping points in their opening Club World Cup contest.
‘We have to deliver in the next game. We have to improve,’ Kehl continued.
‘The game showed us that we have to stretch ourselves.
‘I’m very confident that we’ll do better in the next two games.’
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