Chelsea receive transfer update over €56m signing - but it's a mess

News

Matthew Judge | Editor

Chelsea have received an update on the future of Jamie Gittens after learning Roma are targeting a different winger, according to reports in Italy.

Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Sunday that Serie A side Roma were weighing up a move to sign Gittens on a season-long loan.

However, the same publication understands Roma are now preparing a bid in the region of €25million to €30m (£21m to £25m) for Inter Milan’s Luis Henrique.

Compared

Jamie Gittens

F, M (L)

Chelsea

Jamie Gittens

F, M (L)

Chelsea

VS

Luis Henrique

M (R), AM (L)

Inter

Luis Henrique

M (R), AM (L)

Inter

2025/2026

Season Statistics

2025/2026

27	Appearances	43
1	Goals	1
5	Assists	2
21	Key Passes	28

The move is reportedly being driven by the Roma hierarchy, however, and not by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who is believed to prefer other options.

And so it remains to be seen whether the Italian side will look to firm up their interest in signing Gittens from Chelsea.

Gittens expects to stay at Chelsea despite last season's struggles

Gittens joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund in a €56.7m (£48.5m) deal last summer, with the forward signing a seven-year contract with the club.

However, the 22-year-old endured a difficult first season with Chelsea, recording one goal and five assists in all competitions for the west London club.

Despite those struggles, when asked in July if he had been told he was part of Xabi Alonso’s plans for the upcoming season, Gittens succinctly told BBC Sport: “Yeah”.

He then added: “He (Alonso) just wants me to keep being positive, to keep taking on players, to keep creating chances and to keep pushing myself to the maximum.

“I want to succeed here [at Chelsea]. I need to show people what I can do. I've shown small glimpses, I would say, but this season will be a good season.”

Chelsea and Gittens are preparing to face Real Sociedad on Saturday in their final pre-season fixture before the start of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign.

The Stamford Bridge side travel to Fulham on Monday, 24 August in what will be Alonso’s first competitive match in charge of the club.

Chelsea have backed new manager Alonso with the signings of Marco Palestra, Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck this summer.

Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev have also joined Chelsea on deals that were negotiated before Alonso’s appointment in May.

Roma have also been busy in the summer transfer window, signing Santiago Castro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Daniele Ghilardi ahead of the new season.

Gasperini’s side, who will compete in the UEFA Champions League this season, have also turned Donyell Malen’s loan move into a permanent transfer from Aston Villa.