Chelsea 'confident' of beating Man Utd to their next superstar forward

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 5 Mar 2026 09:27 GMT
  • 4 min read
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea
© IMAGO

Chelsea are reportedly “confident” of beating Manchester United to the signing of Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi this summer.

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The Germany international has been widely tipped to leave the Signal Iduna Park ahead of the 2026-27 season and rumours suggest he is holding out for a move to the Premier League.

Current ETV
Player image Karim Adeyemi
Karim Adeyemi

F (CR), M (R)

Dortmund logo

Dortmund

Karim Adeyemi
Karim Adeyemi

F (CR), M (R)

Dortmund

Dortmund

€43.1M

ETV Range

€38.8M - €47.4M

German publication BILD claim that a contract extension has been offered to the 24-year-old, but he is yet to agree fresh terms with Niko Kovac’s side and his new agent Jorge Mendes reportedly wants a release clause to be included in the deal in order to allow his client to leave at any time.

Dortmund are yet to accept such demands and Adeyemi is therefore understood to be edging closer to the exit door ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Germany winger has scored eight goals and provided five assists in all competitions so far this season, but he has only started four matches from a possible 13 in 2026 and competition for his signature is beginning to heat up.

Karim Adeyemi to leave Borussia Dortmund?

Adeyemi has been heavily linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent months and it’s understood that a minimum fee of €60 million will be required to secure his signature this summer.

Arsenal and Liverpool have both been touted as potential destinations for the 24-year-old, although it is Chelsea and Man Utd who currently lead the race to sign him, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes.

Karim Adeyemi, Borussia Dortmund
© IMAGO - Karim Adeyemi, Borussia Dortmund

It’s claimed that Man Utd view the possibility of signing Adeyemi as a “market opportunity” as they look to add another option to their current forward line.

However, Chelsea are reportedly “confident” of beating their Premier League rivals to Adeyemi’s signature this summer amid their continued pursuit of attacking reinforcements.

The Blues have already agreed a deal to sign Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda this summer, but they remain keen to bolster Liam Rosenior’s options out wide and Adeyemi has seemingly been earmarked as a top target by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

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