Dortmund director explains why Chelsea failed to sign Gittens

 

Dortmund director explains why Chelsea failed to sign Gittens

Borussia Dortmund director Lars Ricken has shed light on why Chelsea's recent bid to sign talented winger Jamie Gittens was rejected. The Premier League giants made a formal approach to land Gittens just before the start of the Club World Cup, but the timing and the amount offered led to the deal collapsing. According to Ricken, the proposal came far too late in the transfer window, leaving Dortmund with no time to search for or secure a suitable replacement.

Chelsea reportedly tabled a £42 million bid, which Dortmund considered too low for a player they rate very highly. The German club has placed a valuation of £50 million on Gittens and emphasized that they will not sell for less than they believe he is worth. Lars Ricken stated that while Dortmund is open to negotiations, any deal must make sense for all parties involved  the player, the buying club, and Dortmund themselves.

This transfer saga unfolded in the build-up to the Club World Cup, where both clubs are actively participating. Dortmund’s refusal to rush into a sale underlines their firm stance on protecting their player assets, especially key talents like Gittens who play a major role in their current squad. While the initial bid was rejected, there is still potential for further negotiations in the coming weeks as Chelsea remain keen on signing the winger.

See also: Georgie Shore star breaks silence on Ibiza party with Tripper

Speaking to Sky, Dortmund director Lars Ricken gave a detailed explanation of the club’s decision to reject Chelsea’s offer for Jamie Gittens. He pointed out that although Chelsea made a concrete proposal, it came at such short notice that Dortmund simply did not have time to consider alternatives. Ricken made it clear that timing is crucial in major transfers, and with the Club World Cup looming, the situation left no room for risk.

Ricken emphasized the importance of making sure every transfer is a well-balanced decision. He stated that deals must benefit all three parties: the player, the selling club, and the buying club. Dortmund, a club known for developing and protecting young talent, stood by its valuation of Gittens. The club’s firm policy is to avoid underselling any of its rising stars, especially when the player remains a key part of the team’s ongoing competitions.

Gittens remains with the squad as they prepare to face Ulsan in a must-win Club World Cup group match. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also set to face Esperance Tunis in a decisive clash. With both teams focused on success in the tournament, future transfer talks may be paused temporarily but are expected to resume afterward.

While Dortmund rejected the £42 million offer, there is speculation that a revised bid from Chelsea could come soon. If the London club meets Dortmund’s valuation and approaches the deal with better timing, a transfer could still be on the cards. For now, Dortmund are focused on their Club World Cup campaign and are counting on Gittens’ contributions on the pitch.