The first transfer window of the season slammed shut on Tuesday at 7 PM UK time, and Chelsea only managed to add Liam Delap from Ipswich Town to their ranks before the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off next week in the USA.
However, the Blues tried their level best to secure Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and even had a couple of bids rejected for the English international.
More importantly, the German side rejected the second bid for Gittens even though Chelsea had matched their valuation of the player.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed on X that Chelsea met Dortmund’s valuation of the player. The problem was that both clubs could not agree on the structure of the deal, hence why it collapsed.
It is a blow for Maresca, who must now make do with just Madueke, Neto and George. Of course, Cole Palmer can also play on the right, so that could be another option for the Chelsea manager.
Though Chelsea view a move for Alejandro Garnacho as a backup for Gittens, the latter remains their top priority.
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Chelsea will not have Gittens for their Club World Cup campaign, but the Blues could have him for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Chelsea will try to sign Gittens again when the transfer window reopens next Monday.
The expectation is that Gittens will move to Stamford Bridge this summer. Chelsea fans just have to be patient.
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