Chelsea transfer roundup: Club chief issues Jamie Gittens update as £67m defender eyed

Chelsea are now just days away from kicking off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States, playing their first group game on Monday night. Enzo Maresca’s men will be raring to go after such a good end to the season, possessing the chance to be crowned the world’s best, a title they would carry for four years.

Alongside the competition, Chelsea will be looking to wrap up incoming and outgoing business, although anything they do manage up until the transfer window reopens will not have an immediate impact. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.

Dortmund chief on Gittens move

Borussia Dortmund sporting chief Sebastien Kehl has spoken to Tage Spiegel about Chelsea’s failed move for Jamie Gittens, albeit failed for now, with the Blues expected to return with a fresh offer at some stage.

Kehl said: “We spoke on the phone, in the end we did not agree, because we have different ideas about the current value of the player. Jamie definitely makes our team better. We are glad that he is there. We are in a good exchange and see how things are shaping in the future. Of course, at some point, if you take a player with it, you also have to sell. I assume that his market value will not fall. We will see to what extent we can keep it until the end of the tournament. There will be talks again.”

Diomande latest

Chelsea are said to be interested in a deal to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande this summer. According to O Jogo, the Portuguese defender is attracting interest from two London clubs this summer, with Arsenal also reportedly interested.

The 21-year-old is ranked among the best young centre-backs in Europe, and it’s no surprise that Sporting are said to be asking for £67million to sell him this summer. Sporting’s position would be strengthened if Viktor Gyokeres leaves first ona big-money deal this summer.

Sarr on Chelsea move

Chelsea’s new signing Mamadou Sarr says it is a dream come true to join the Blues after arriving on a deal with Strasbourg reportedly worth around £12million. Sarr told Chelsea’s website: “I feel really good, it’s like a dream for me. Since I was young I dreamed of playing for a club like this. Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am very happy. For me, Chelsea is the best club in London, one of the best clubs in England. Chelsea have a good project in place for young players. The supporters, the club, it’s history and the stadium are all fantastic. It’s an iconic club with a full history.

“It was a dream come true when I saw the badge everywhere, the badge I used to see playing FIFA before – I realised where I am and who I will train with. I have a good impression of Cobham. It’s very big, a beautiful training centre. The people have been very kind and have welcomed me. It’s just a dream come true.”

He added: “It’s simple. The dream is to win the Premier League and the Champions League with Chelsea. When Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021, there was the performance of [N’Golo] Kante and so many players. I remember the Champions League in 2012 with [Didier] Drogba, and then winning matches with [Eden] Hazard after that.

“I admired Kante of course. There is [Claude] Makelele too. And there are Francophones like [Michael] Essien, Drogba, Hazard. The best for me is Kante but there are so many Chelsea players I remember admiring. Frank Lampard, Ramires.”

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