Chelsea are weighing up a bid for the Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens and are increasingly likely to decide against signing Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis from Manchester United.
The uncertainty around Sancho’s future comes with Chelsea prioritising the addition of a right-footed winger capable of playing on the left flank before they head to the Club World Cup this month.
Gittens is one of several players on Chelsea’s shortlist and it is understood that talks over a deal for the England Under-21 international have been held with Dortmund. Enzo Maresca’s system relies on quality wide players. Sancho had an opportunity to press his case after joining Chelsea on loan with an obligation to buy for £25m last summer. The 25‑year‑old’s talent has flickered at times and he scored when Maresca’s side beat Real Betis in the Uefa Conference League final last week.
Yet Sancho, who struggled after joining Manchester United from Dortmund in 2021, was unable to hold down a regular starting place last season and it is understood that Chelsea have misgivings over buying him. They can pay a £5m exit fee to terminate the agreement with United and sources have said that the London club are edging towards that option. Chelsea think Sancho is talented and have been impressed with his attitude but fear he is not consistent enough. There remains a possibility that Chelsea could decide to sign Sancho if he agrees to a lower salary in line with the club’s wage policy.
Returning to United would leave Sancho, who has lost his place in the England squad, in an awkward position. The attacker cut an unhappy figure after moving to Old Trafford four years ago and joined Dortmund on loan after clashing with Erik ten Hag in August 2023. Sancho had joined Chelsea by the time United fired Ten Hag and hired Ruben Amorim last November. It remains to be seen if Amorim would want to look at Sancho in pre-season. United are looking to refresh their squad and sell unwanted players after missing out on European qualification.
Gittens, who joined Dortmund from Manchester City’s academy, plays in Sancho’s position and is expected to cost £50m this summer. He scored 12 goals in 48 games in all competitions last season. Chelsea, who are poised to sign the Ipswich striker Liam Delap for £30m, have also tracked Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, who is likely to prove too expensive, and were interested in United’s Alejandro Garnacho in January. There were concerns at the time over Garnacho’s attitude. They have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.
It is set to be another busy summer at Stamford Bridge, with Maresca also hoping to sign a new centre-back after leading his side into the Champions League and winning the Uefa Conference League. It remains to be seen if the arrival of Delap will be followed by Maresca targeting another striker. Chelsea like Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike but see him as too expensive at £84m. There is long‑term interest in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who is wanted by Arsenal. Nicolas Jackson’s future will be up in the air if two strikers arrive. Chelsea confirmed the signing of midfielder Dário Essugo from Sporting on Monday.
A host of outgoings are factored into Chelsea’s planning and it is understood they are open to offers for Noni Madueke. The England winger joined from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and scored 11 goals in all competitions last season but there is a feeling the 23-year-old’s development has stalled. Christopher Nkunku and João Félix, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Milan, are other attackers up for sale. Benfica are trying to sign João Félix on loan before the Club World Cup.
The goalkeepers Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic are on the market. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are out of favour in defence and Wesley Fofana’s fitness problems mean suitable offers for him will be hard to turn down. Chelsea tried to sell Trevoh Chalobah last summer.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are available after making little impression in midfield and Raheem Sterling, who has two years left on his £325,000 a week contract, has no future at the club after a disappointing loan at Arsenal.
