Chelsea player's transfer denied as club forced to issue furious statement over 'false' claims

Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer as new manager Xabi Alonso attempts to trim his squad - but he definitely won't be joining one club.

Gittens signed for Chelsea last summer from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £48 million, plus a potential extra £3.5 million in add-ons.

But the former Manchester City and Reading winger struggled for game time in his first season with the Blues, making just 16 Premier League appearances.

He provided two assists but failed to score in the league, with his only goal of the season coming in a 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Wolves - a game in which he also contributed two assists - in October.

He has been involved in Chelsea's pre-season campaign and scored against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Gittens has started three and made appearances in five of the Blues' six friendlies, including their 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

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But it looks increasingly likely that his future lies away from Stamford Bridge.

Jamie Gittens has played an active part in Chelsea's pre-season schedule (Image: Getty)

Gittens has been linked with a move to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce over recent days. The Turkish window closes on September 4, meaning they have three more days to negotiate incoming deals than English sides.

But if there was any doubt over whether he would move to Fener, the Turkish club have now released an unprecedented statement to label the reports as 'false' and an example of 'artificially created agendas'.

The Turkish giants add that they 'expect this approach of using our club's name to create public opinion ... to cease'.

'Completely unfounded...' - Fenerbahce address Jamie Gittens speculation

"Reports circulating in some media outlets today regarding our club's interest in Chelsea FC player Jamie Gittens are completely unfounded and do not reflect the truth," a statement on the club's official website reads.

"We once again clearly state that attempts to manipulate Fenerbahce Sports Club through false transfer claims and artificially created agendas will have no effect.

"Fenerbahce conducts its sporting structure, transfer policy, and future planning in all branches, especially football, in accordance with its own strategy, needs and established programs.

"Therefore, we expect this approach of using our club's name to create public opinion and steer Fenerbahce towards certain directions to cease.

"Our sole focus right now is our match against Genclerbirligi in the first week of the Trendyol Super League.

"We respectfully request that our great Fenerbahce fans disregard such unfounded news and continue their support for our teams only by considering the statements made through our club's official channels."

Fenerbahce have been busy in the transfer market this summer, signing seven players on permanent deals.

Romelu Lukaku has signed from Napoli for a fee in the region of £5 million - which could in turn fund the Italian side's expected bid for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus - while Nathan Ake has arrived from Manchester City.

They also sealed a club-record €39 million deal to sign Mason Greenwood.

Their Super Lig rivals Trabzonspor, meanwhile, have secured the high-profile signing of Mohamed Salah as a free agent after he left Liverpool by mutual consent.

Besiktas, meanwhile, have signed Orkun Kokcu from Benfica for €30 million, as well as Arsenal's Leandro Trossard.

Galatasaray, Fenerbahce's biggest rivals, have been much quieter but failed in their attempts to sign Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli for a fee in the region of £45 million. They have also been linked with a move for Martinelli's Gunners team-mate Ethan Nwaneri, and may be able to splash the cash in the closing days of the window if Arsenal's reported interest in Gala striker Victor Osimhen ends with a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

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The Turkish giants have so far loaned midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Championship side Burnley, as well as signing left-back Umut Erdem on a permanent deal.