Chelsea have launched a new bid for Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the Club World Cup.

The Blues have offered an improved €50million (£42m) fee as they look to scoop the Englishman with just hours remaining of the special transfer deadline day.

Chelsea had previously offered Dortmund £29.5m but saw their bid rejected, with the German side hoping for a fee in the region of £40m.

He has reportedly told Dortmund bosses that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge. 

Enzo Maresca’s side travel to the United States on Friday and face LAFC in their opening fixture in Atlanta on Monday. 

Chelsea have submitted an improved £42million offer for Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens

Man City hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause for Gittens who left the club’s academy in 2020 

Enzo Maresca’s side hope to wrap up a deal before the end of the special transfer window

Dortmund will also compete in the Club World Cup and take on Fluminense in their first match.

A special transfer window, which allows clubs to complete deals before the tournament kicks off on Saturday, slams shut on Tuesday at 7pm before reopening next week.

City hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause for Gittens who left the club’s academy in 2020 for Dortmund. 

Chelsea are hoping to improve on the wing after they declined to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent transfer and they have eyed a move for Gittens since January.  

Gittens, who also had brief spells at Chelsea and Reading as a youngster, made his senior debut in the Bundesliga days after his 18th birthday.

He has racked up 106 appearances since, scoring 17 goals. Although, his breakout campaign came this past season, over the course of which he scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 48 games.

The improved offer comes hours after Chelsea’s deal for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maigan collapsed.

The Blues had stepped up their interest in the Frenchman in recent days and hoped to complete a deal before the special transfer window closes.

Gittens represents England at Under-21 level and has played for Chelsea and City’s academies

Chelsea’s deal for goalkeeper Maignan collapsed after they refused to pay Milan’s asking price

But the west Londoners were unwilling to pay Milan’s fee, which they believe was inflated due to their will to sign him in time for the Club World Cup.

It is understood that Milan want around £20m for Maignan, who has one year remaining on his contract at San Siro.

A deal between AC Milan and the Conference League winners is now off, according to Fabrizio Romano, who cited Chelsea’s frustration at a ‘Club World Cup tax’.

Chelsea currently have five goalkeepers on their books but none have fully convinced fans.

Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic, Mike Penders and Kepa Arrizabalaga are all currently contracted at Stamford Bridge, but they have not persuaded the Chelsea hierarchy against looking for another keeper this window.

However, following a breakdown in negotiations for Maignan, the Blues reportedly maintain ‘full trust’ in Petrovic, Sanchez, Jorgensen and Penders.

Maigan joined AC Milan in 2021 and sees his contract expire at the end of next season.

The Frenchman lifted the Serie A title in 2021-22 and is one of Europe’s best shot-stoppers.

The Frenchman lifted the Serie A title in 2021-22 and is one of Europe’s best shot-stoppers

Chelsea have already wrapped up a deal for highly sought after £30m Liam Delap from Ipswich 

He could still leave Italy this summer, once the window reopens on June 16.

Milan missed out on European qualification last season after sinking to a disappointing eighth-place finish – a huge drop from being Serie A runners-up in 2023-24. 

While Chelsea’s deal for Maignan has fallen through, they did complete the signing of defender Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg for £12m on Monday morning.

That took the club’s spending this summer to £60m already, having finalised moves for Liam Delap and highly-rated Sporting Lisbon prospect Dario Essugo.