Jadon Sancho could have huge role in major Chelsea summer transfer decision

Chelsea are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens in the upcoming summer transfer window, football.london understands, although nothing is advanced at this stage in proceedings.

Reports from Germany last week suggested the are in constant dialogue with the Englishman's camp over a summer move. However, sources have confirmed that is not the case, although there is a keen interest in Gittens' services ahead of the summer.

It is no secret Chelsea are on the hunt for a new left-sided winger with the future of uncertain at this point. and have been used out there for the majority of the season but sees the latter of the two as more of a right-sided wide man. Meanwhile, the future of Sancho remains uncertain.

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Chelsea have an obligation to buy the 25-year-old for £25million this summer after inserting the clause into the loan contract the Blues agreed with Manchester United in August. There is, however, a £5million break clause should the west Londoners choose to activate it which would send Sancho back to Old Trafford.

Sancho has played 35 times for Chelsea in all competitions since moving to Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan, where he has scored three goals and assisted 10 times. His form has improved of late but the winger's future is still up in the air. Maresca recently confirmed a decision over Sancho's future will be made in the summer with their focus elsewhere at the moment.

Ironically enough, Sancho could actually be a secret weapon for Chelsea in their pursuit of a new left winger this summer. Gittens is understood to be close friends with Sancho after the two formed a relationship during the latter's loan spell at Dortmund last season. Gittens, who has 12 goals and five assists for the Black and Yellow in all competitions this term, spoke about Sancho last year and how much he learned from the Chelsea man during his loan at Signal Iduna Park.

Speaking in an interview with , Gittens said: "A lot of things [he has learned from Sancho]. The way he combines with players, lots of one-twos. Combination play. Off-the-ball movements. When to dribble, when to pass. His vision for a pass. Lots of things that I've learnt in six months from him because he is a top player."

Gittens was born in Reading and represented the club until 2018 at academy level before he was poached by Manchester City. The now 20-year-old spent two years at City's academy before Borussia Dortmund came calling in 2020. Making his Bundesliga debut for the German club in 2022, the winger has never looked back and is now one of the most sought-after young wingers in European football, with Chelsea not the only club interested in his services.

Interest in players like Gittens make Chelsea's Champions League qualification race so much more important. As it stands, the Blues are in fifth-place in the Premier League table with four matches remaining of the top-flight season. Nottingham Forest, though, will play their game in hand on Thursday evening at home to Brentford and should 's side avoid defeat at the City Ground, then they would overtake Chelsea once again.