Hamburg manager Markus Gisdol has dismissed rumours his young forward Jann-Fiete Arp will be joining Chelsea.
The 17 year old was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer, and a transfer to the Premier League side has resurfaced as a rumour in recent weeks.
At the weekend The Sunday reported: ‘Chelsea are close to a deal for Hamburg starlet Jann-Fiete Arp… the Premier League champions believe they have snared the youngster.’
Chelsea were said to have beat a number of rivals to the player and the claims quickly got to Germany. Jürgen Milewski, the player’s agent, quickly rubbished the claim: “This story has nothing in it.”
Ndr.de have reported on comments Gisdol made in press conference when asked about Fiete Arp joining Chelsea: “I won’t comment on all those pre-Christmas fairy tales. Fiete’s contract will not expire tomorrow, Jens Todt and Heribert Bruchhagen will take the right measures.”
Bild also quote Gisdol, with the German newspaper having the manager saying: “Some write adventurous things. It’s almost ridiculous sometimes.”
During the last window we covered reports from Germany that Chelsea were keen to sign Arp in the summer, and despite offering the forward a lucrative contract he committed himself to Hamburg.
Arp is seen as the jewel in the crown at Hamburg, but unless his future is secured the likes of Chelsea still have a reasonable chance of signing him in the short to medium future.
Just because Chelsea and others have a chance, that doesn’t mean Arp is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, making it clear earlier this year that he doesn’t feel such a step is right for him.
Fiete Arp only made his Hamburg debut a few weeks ago, but he’s ready scored two goals in five games. Given how impressively quickly his agent and club have taken a sledgehammer to the Chelsea claims, maybe the rumours will be a little more reserved in future.
ND
