Chelsea have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign German sensation Karim Adeyemi after discussing a transfer with the RB Salzburg striker’s agent, according to Calciomercato.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues are the latest club to sound out Adeyemi’s interest in a move away from Austria next year.
The 19-year-old will spark a fierce race for his services come the summer, with several sides chasing his signature.
Adeyemi has put numerous teams on alert after a sublime start to the season so far under boss Matthias Jaissle. The three-cap attacker has scored 15 goals and laid on two assists in 22 games across all competitions.
The centre-forward also scored on his senior Germany debut in September. But he missed their World Cup qualifier with Liechtenstein this Thursday while quarantining, after Niklas Sule tested positive for Covid-19.
Chelsea have now moved to sound out Adeyemi’s interest in a transfer to Stamford Bridge, after contacting the RB Salzburg – and reported Liverpool target – striker’s agent.
He also has admirers at the San Siro, with Inter Milan chiefs monitoring his situation.
While Calciomercato also reported this week that Sevilla have moved to beat Liverpool, RB Leipzig and the Nerazzurri to Adeyemi’s signature with plans now in motion for a January transfer.
Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool for in-demand Adeyemi transfer
Whoever seals a transfer to prise Adeyemi from Salzburg in 2022, be it Liverpool, Chelsea or a European rival will secure a very promising young striker’s services. But the Reds and Blues also face strong Premier League competition.
Reports by Sport1 claim Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also like Adeyemi. And so do Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Atletico.
A deal for the youngster could also cost as much as €30m-40m (£26m-34m) next summer, per Sky Germany. With RB Salzburg set to cash in on his international and club form, with three goals in four Champions League group stage appearances so far this season.
While impressing Germany boss Hansi Flick over his three-caps, with the former FCB coach noting, via talkSPORT, after his debut:
“He’s already shown at the start of this season that he can be ice cold in front of goal. He did really well today when he came in.”
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