Chelsea have been working on signing Jamie Gittens since failing to secure an agreement with Borussia Dortmund before the start of the Club World Cup.
At the weekend, claims from Germany and the UK stated the Blues have agreed terms with the Bundesliga club.
On Monday, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said the winger’s move to Chelsea isn’t finalised yet. He also stated BVB have released him to hold talks with another club, almost certainly Enzo Maresca’s side.
The German club are at the ongoing Club World Cup, and Sport1 states the 20-year-old has returned to the BVB camp, after undergoing medical tests with the UEFA Conference League winners.
Borussia Dortmund made it to the Club World Cup quarterfinal after overcoming Mexican side Monterrey on Tuesday [local time] and the Chelsea target wasn’t in the squad.
Prior to yesterday’s tie, DAZN spoke to BVB manager director, Lars Ricken, and Sport1 have relayed his comments. The official said the England U21 international has rejoined the group and explained why he won’t be in action.
“He’s in the hotel. We released him briefly once for discussions, but he’s back now,” he said.
“I think it’s in the interest of everyone involved not to take too great a risk that a player might get injured.”
Sport1 states the attacker’s move to Chelsea is ‘imminent but not a done deal yet’. They add final details are being sorted so that Gittens can join the UEFA Conference League winners.
“Nothing’s set in stone yet, and if anything, it will take a while,” Ricken explained
“If there were a strong probability that such a transfer would work out, I would announce it here, but obviously I won’t.”
