Dortmund chief opens up on why Jamie Gittens move to Chelsea collapsed – with the winger left furious after missing out on a pre-Club World Cup switch

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has placed the blame at Chelsea’s door after the Blues failed to land winger Jamie Gittens ahead of the first summer transfer deadline.

Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that Gittens had sped away from Borussia Dortmund’s Hohenbuschei training ground after being denied a move in time for the Club World Cup.

Chelsea needed to have completed a deal by the 7pm deadline in order to register Gittens for the expanded competition in the United States.

The Blues left it late to raise their offer for the England U21 international winger and chose not to go beyond a bid of £42million.

They had previously put in a £29.5m bid that was also knocked back by the Bundesliga outfit.

Gittens, who has now been named in Dortmund’s Club World Cup squad, hopes Chelsea rekindle talks in the summer window and that the Bundesliga club lower their £55m demands.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl addressed Gittens future to reporters

Gittens will be part of Dortmund’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States

Speaking following the collapse of the deal, Kehl stressed that both clubs having differing valuations for the winger and highlighted the lateness of Chelsea’s offer. 

‘In the end, we didn’t come to an agreement on Jamie because we have different ideas about the player’s current value,’ Kehl told reporters.

But the talks were very, very respectful. We have been in very good dialogue with Chelsea for many years.

‘And yet we have a different point of view and are happy that Jamie will now be part of our team at the Club World Cup and are delighted that he is staying. 

‘I’m not responsible for the late offer. But of course I still have to deal with it and that’s what we’ve done.

‘Let’s see how things develop in the future.’

Gittens was one of 25 players named in Dortmund’s squad for the Club World Cup, with their selection also including their new £32million signing Jobe Bellingham.

Dortmund are set to face Brazilian side Fluminense, South Korea’s Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa in the group stages of the tournament.

Gittens, who joined Dortmund from Man City in 2020, has made 106 appearances for the club and scored 17 goals.