Chelsea have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Germany international forward Karim Adeyemi and could now make contact with Borussia Dortmund over a move this summer.
The 22-year-old, who is valued at around £25million, has only been at Dortmund for two years since joining from Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg in 2022, but could leave Signal Iduna Park this summer as they reshuffle their forward options.
Die Schwarzgelben are in talks to sign Lyon winger Rayan Cherki and are closing in on a move for prolific Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy, too.
Jadon Sancho continues to be linked with a return to Westfalen as well after an impressive loan spell last season and those moves could pave the way for Adeyemi’s exit.
He has attracted interest from Liverpool as well but Chelsea look to be stealing a march in the race to sign a player they actually had at Cobham on trial in 2018 as a 16-year-old.
Adeyemi is best utilised on the left-hand side of the front three and his arrival could pose questions over the futures of either Mykhailo Mudryk or Raheem Sterling.
Given Mudryk’s best years are still ahead of him, it is more likely an exit for Sterling, 29, will be sanctioned amid interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
Fenerbahce are keen to sign former Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin from the Saudi side and that move could pave the way for them to test Chelsea’s resolve for the England international.
Should Sterling depart Stamford Bridge, just two years since his move from Man City, it means the number seven shirt would be vacant. If Adeyemi does make the move to West London, the number seven shirt which has also been worn by the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ramires, Andriy Shevchenko and Didier Deschamps over the years, could be the perfect welcome gift.