Chelsea have begun talks with Karim Adeyemi’s agents as they hope to secure a deal to sign the RB Salzburg forward next summer.
According to Calciomercato, Chelsea have made the first move in the race to sign Karim Adeyemi. The RB Salzburg attacker is one of the hottest prospects in Europe, and his contract situation has made him an appealing target for multiple top clubs across Europe.
Chelsea and Inter Milan are among the clubs interested in the services of Adeyemi, with the former already establishing talks with the player’s entourage. Although the player still has a contract at Salzburg until 2024, the Blues are hopeful of securing a deal and giving the youngster a bigger platform to showcase his abilities.
With 11 goals in 13 league matches this season, Adeyemi is undoubtedly the hottest prospect in the Austrian Bundesliga at the moment. He is also considered the next big talent to come out of the Salzburg team after Erling Haaland, who joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Chelsea are hoping to land the teenage prodigy by holding meetings with the player’s agents. It appears they have identified the former Unterhaching youth product as an ideal alternative or even a replacement for Timo Werner.
The former RB Leipzig attacker has found life difficult in the Premier League. He has struggled with a lack of productivity in front of goal. The further addition of Romelu Lukaku in the summer has left him trailing behind in the pecking order, compelling Chelsea to consider a potential sale.
The German international has been recently linked with a move to Barcelona as well. His potential departure should open up an avenue for Adeyemi to become a key player in the first-team, especially with Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic struggling to make themselves key assets for the Blues.
The Salzburg youngster could thus become an ideal strike partner for Lukaku, aided by the creative support of Mason Mount. However, Chelsea are set to face a myriad of challenges in the pursuit of Adeyemi.
For one, the 19-year-old is being scouted by other Premier League giants, including Liverpool. European bigwigs like Barcelona and Real Madrid are attentive to the situation as well. But most importantly, Adeyemi himself might prefer a move to the Bundesliga rather than making the jump to the Premier League at this stage of his career.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are two of the clubs believed to be in pole position to snap up the youngster in the January transfer window. It will be intriguing to see Adeyemi in action alongside Haaland during the second half of the campaign if such a move materialises. For now, Chelsea have opened talks with his representatives in hope of striking a deal.