Chelsea Sees €50m Gittens Bid Rejected by Dortmund Ahead Club World Cup

Chelsea's efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens before the Club World Cup have been thwarted as their €50 million (£42 million) bid was rejected, with Dortmund holding firm on a €65 million (£55 million) asking price. Despite Gittens' willingness to join Chelsea and a proposed seven-year contract, the transfer deadline passed without a deal, meaning he will not be eligible to play for Chelsea in the tournament due to FIFA rules preventing registration for two clubs during the same competition. Chelsea are expected to renew their pursuit when the summer transfer window reopens on June 16, but they are also considering other attacking options such as Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus. Meanwhile, Chelsea abandoned talks to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan after disagreements over his valuation, with Milan demanding around £25 million and Chelsea offering roughly half that amount. Dortmund have also bolstered their squad by signing young English talent Jobe Bellingham, who will join Gittens in their Club World Cup squad. Chelsea’s failure to finalize these transfers represents a setback as they prepare for the tournament, where they will face Los Angeles FC, Flamengo, and Esperance de Tunis in their group stage matches.