Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund attacker Karim Adeyemi ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Blues had enquired about the Munich-born talent in January but he preferred to see out the season with Borussia Dortmund and build up his fitness after missing more than two months of the current campaign with injury. He was also heavily linked with a move to Napoli, as Antonio Conte viewed him as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Germany international will have only two years left on his contract at the Signal Iduna Park come the end of the season, and Dortmund are open to selling him at the right price. According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Chelsea are leading the race for Karim Adeyemi’s signing. Arsenal and Liverpool are also understood to be interested in the explosive winger, who is valued at around €45m by Dortmund.
Adeyemi has endured a tough season due to underwhelming form and injury issues, with Dortmund also struggling in the Bundesliga. He has only managed two goals and three assists in 14 Bundesliga appearances. The German is understood to be keen on a move to the Premier League after changing his agents last month to facilitate his departure from Dortmund.
Karim Adeyemi to Chelsea—Good option for Enzo Maresca?
Chelsea spent heavily during the summer transfer window, backing new boss Enzo Maresca to the hilt for a strong 2024/25 campaign. After doing well in the opening months of the campaign and being in the conversation for a surprise Premier League title challenge, the Blues, however, have faded and now find themselves fifth in the table—a point behind fourth-placed Man City.
The last couple of months have been extremely frustrating for Maresca, who has had to deal with lot of injuries. Nicolas Jackson is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while Noni Madueke’s return date from a hamstring injury remains unknown. In addition, the club decided to loan out Joao Felix to AC Milan during the January transfer window, leaving Maresca with a lack of options in attack.
Thus, it is expected that the west Londoners would splash heavily on a forward when the transfer window reopens. Karim Adeyemi has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and Maresca could do well with a player of his talent and potential.
The Germany international joined Dortmund in 2022 for €30m from RB Salzburg but he has failed to cement a regular starting spot with the Bundesliga outfit, with his performances often proving frustrating and inconsistent. At 23, though, he is still relatively young and can turn around his career with proper coaching and guidance.
One has to go only a few years back when Adeyemi was tearing the Austrian Bundesliga with his explosive pace, dribbling skills and directness. He needs a change of scenery to get back his mojo, and a move to Chelsea could do well for him. The ex-Salzburg star could thrive in Maresca’s system, adding pace, flair, directness and movement to the Blues side.
For around €45m, Chelsea could do well to land a talent like Adeyemi who has the attributes to make them better and also thrive in the hustle and bustle of Premier League football.
