Newcastle and Chelsea placed in €65-70m transfer battle

Newcastle United and Chelsea have emerged as serious contenders in the pursuit of Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, with both Premier League clubs exploring the possibility of a summer move.

Adeyemi, one of the Bundesliga’s standout young attackers, delivered a productive 2023/24 campaign, contributing 12 goals and 11 assists across 41 appearances in all competitions.

His ability to operate fluidly across the front three has made him a highly attractive target for clubs looking to inject pace, creativity, and technical flair into their attacking lines.

While reports initially surfaced linking Juventus with a €40-45 million bid for the 23-year-old, fresh updates from Bild now confirm that both Newcastle and Chelsea have entered the race.

The German outlet also notes that Adeyemi remains under contract at Borussia Dortmund until 2027, giving the club strong leverage in negotiations and no immediate pressure to sell.

Dortmund have reportedly placed a hefty price tag on the player, setting their valuation between €65 million and €70 million—a figure considered steep, even in today’s inflated transfer market.

Despite the ambitious valuation, Dortmund appear firm in their stance. The club’s senior decision-makers, managing director Lars Ricken and sporting director Sebastian Kehl, are said to be open to talks only if an offer meets their minimum demand.

They point to the recent sale of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to Chelsea for a fee of €65 million as justification. In their view, Adeyemi possesses more top-level experience and a higher ceiling, making it logical, from their perspective, to expect at least an equivalent fee.

This position presents a potential stumbling block for Newcastle and Chelsea, neither of whom have made clear whether they would be willing to match Dortmund’s asking price.

For Newcastle, the pursuit of Adeyemi represents part of their broader plan to upgrade Eddie Howe’s attacking options, particularly after securing the arrival of Anthony Elanga and chasing additional reinforcements to compete in European football next season.

The club is keen to add a versatile forward who can operate on either flank or centrally, and Adeyemi’s profile aligns perfectly with that objective.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to target emerging talent with long-term resale value, in line with their transfer model under the current ownership.

They see Adeyemi as another high-upside investment to compete for a starting role in a squad that already includes the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, and Mykhailo Mudryk.

The Blues are also attempting to balance their transfer activity with Premier League spending regulations, which could make Dortmund’s valuation a key obstacle unless outgoings are confirmed in parallel.

At this stage, it remains uncertain whether either English side will escalate their interest into a formal bid, but the window remains open for negotiations.

Dortmund’s willingness to hold firm could invite a drawn-out transfer saga, especially if they use Adeyemi’s contractual security to resist offers below their preferred price point.

In any case, Adeyemi is not short on admirers, and his blend of speed, technical ability, and attacking intelligence makes him one of the more compelling offensive options on the market this summer.

Whether Newcastle or Chelsea are prepared to go all in could define the next phase of their recruitment plans—and determine whether the talented German international takes the next step in his career in the Premier League.