A rapid, right-footed left winger, Gittens’ arrival would fill the void left by Sancho’s departure after Chelsea opted not to sign him on a permanent basis.
Maresca said: “Jadon is not with us so for sure that is a position we need to do something.
“We have Noni, Pedro and Ty only as the proper wingers so something for sure is going to happen. When the transfer window is open, for sure, we can do something.”
The England Under-21 international also fits the recruitment profile set by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart – a young and adaptable winger on a long-term contract, with a potentially high resale value.
“They are looking to get more than one option in every position, the squad will need to be stronger because of the Champions League pressures,” Kinsella added.
“The squad will be quite well balanced now. The question is would Gittens and [Liam] Delap hit the round running? They are still young players, so there are question marks.”
Gittens would become the latest Chelsea player who once had links with Manchester City – a noticeable trend in the Blues’ recruitment in recent years.
Palmer, Romeo Lavia and – summer signing from Ipswich – Delap were all part of City’s Under-21s when Maresca was in charge, while Tosin Adarabioyo came through City’s academy.
Chelsea boss Maresca is also an admirer Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who failed to break through at City, while the club tried to sign City full-back Nico O’Reilly in January.
“Gittens is a young English player with that Man City link again, so he can play that style of football,” Kinsella said.
“He also has a relationship with some of the recruiters, there are a lot of ex-Man City staff who know him and have had success with signing former City players.”
