Arsenal are among the four European giants currently showing strong interest in Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jamie Gittens, as the young forward looks poised to leave Germany in the upcoming transfer window. Gittens, 20, has become one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, and his next move is likely to depend on Borussia Dortmund’s performance in the Bundesliga. At present, Dortmund sit in fifth place, just one point behind the top four spots, with qualification for the Champions League still within reach. If they finish in the top four, Gittens’ release clause will remain at €60 million (£50.9m/$67.6m). However, if Dortmund miss out on Champions League football and are relegated to the Europa League, Conference League, or miss European competition altogether, his release clause would be significantly reduced.
This financial situation makes Gittens Dortmund’s most valuable asset heading into the summer transfer window, as the club is already planning a squad overhaul with several departures. While the club faces uncertainty regarding their European future, Gittens is likely to secure a high-profile move. The four clubs most heavily involved in pursuing the young forward are Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.
Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, are keen to bolster their attacking options after a disappointing Champions League campaign. The Gunners have admired Gittens’ potential for some time, but reports suggesting advanced talks with Dortmund are premature. If Arsenal decide to push ahead with their interest, they may need to offload one of their current wide forwards, such as Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard, to make room for the young Englishman. While Gittens remains on Arsenal’s radar, no formal steps have been taken as of now.
Barcelona, under the guidance of sporting director Deco, are also monitoring Gittens’ situation. The Catalan giants are looking to add competition on the flanks, particularly for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. However, financial constraints due to Camp Nou’s renovations and ongoing player contract renewals have made it difficult for Barcelona to prioritize a move for Gittens. While not an immediate target, Barcelona has not ruled out a potential move if their finances improve in the coming months.
Chelsea, who once had Gittens in their academy, remain long-term admirers of the player. Despite a wider recruitment strategy, their interest in Gittens is genuine but measured. Chelsea’s pursuit of the forward will likely depend on their qualification for next season’s Champions League. There is no indication that a swap deal involving Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka and Gittens is on the table, with each player’s situation being treated separately.
Bayern Munich, who have been tracking Gittens since late 2024, have recently refocused their attention on reducing the club’s wage bill. However, uncertainty surrounding Leroy Sané’s future at the club, particularly since he switched agents, could see Bayern revisit their interest in Gittens. Should Sané leave on a free transfer, Bayern may see Gittens as the perfect replacement to strengthen their forward line. As with Chelsea, Bayern’s pursuit of Gittens will depend on how other summer transfer negotiations unfold in Munich.
While Tottenham had expressed interest in Gittens earlier in the year, they have since cooled their pursuit, leaving Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich as the primary contenders for his signature. If Dortmund secure Champions League qualification, Gittens’ €60 million release clause will likely be met by one of these clubs, but a reduced price could make him an even more attractive proposition for the suitors if Dortmund fall short of Europe’s elite competition. With the young forward keen to impress at the upcoming Club World Cup, all signs point towards a high-profile move to either the Premier League or La Liga in the near future.
