Chelsea transfer update: The Blues prioritize £42m-rated Dortmund star as a primary target for 2025.

Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on their top transfer target for the summer of 2025, but will need to compete with two other major European clubs for his signature.

The Blues made significant investments before the 2024-25 season, signing players like Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, Filip Jorgensen, and Renato Veiga to bolster their squad.

Under co-chairman Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s transfer spending has exceeded £1bn, a point of criticism from rival fans and pundits, though head coach Enzo Maresca has brought stability to the club this season. Utilizing two distinct lineups for Premier League and Conference League fixtures, Maresca has led Chelsea into the Premier League’s top four, ahead of a high-stakes London derby with Arsenal.

Looking ahead, Chelsea are linked with several potential signings for the summer 2025 window, where they might offload out-of-favor attackers Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Chelsea’s Target: Karim Adeyemi

Italian outlet Tuttojuve reports that Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi is at the top of Boehly’s wishlist for 2025. The 22-year-old, a product of the Red Bull Salzburg academy, has excelled at Dortmund, tallying five goals and five assists in just eight games this season despite currently being sidelined with a muscle tear. Since 2022, Adeyemi has amassed 19 goals and 13 assists in 74 appearances, including a hat-trick in a recent 7-1 Champions League victory over Celtic.

Adeyemi is under contract with Nuri Sahin’s Dortmund until 2027, but transfer rumors have circulated, especially given Dortmund’s recent struggles in the Bundesliga, where they sit fifth after nine games.

Other Clubs Interested in Adeyemi

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reportedly leads the push for Adeyemi, confident his speed and agility would enhance the team’s style of play. However, Chelsea faces competition from Liverpool, who may need a replacement for Mohamed Salah in 2025, and Paris Saint-Germain, who are also monitoring Adeyemi in case they cannot secure Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli to replace Real Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe.

While Juventus have also expressed interest, they may be priced out, with Dortmund’s asking price set around €50m (£41.6m).