Chelsea have reportedly been dealt a blow in their efforts to secure a deal for a Borussia Dortmund attacker.
With the Blues currently sitting in fifth place in the Premier League table and Champions League qualification very much up in the air, it remains to be seen how much ambition will be shown in the summer transfer market.
That said, it has become clear that some wheeling and dealing may need to take place in order to achieve a better balance with Enzo Maresca's first-team squad.
A new centre-back and central-forward are highly likely to be on the radar, co-owner Todd Boehly having recently acknowledged that the latter could arrive in due course.
Nevertheless, as per BILD, Chelsea retain an interest in adding versatile attacker Karim Adeyemi to their options for the final third.
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Chelsea dealt Adeyemi blow
However, it is claimed that the Germany international is no closer to departing the Westfalenstadion, just months after Napoli failed with an approach.
Even with different agents having been employed, Adeyemi chose to remain at the Bundesliga giants, and his valuation may increase ahead of 2025-26.
The report alleges that Dortmund have little intention of cashing in on the 23-year-old unless they receive a proposal worth €60m (£49.6m).
Although seven goals and four assists have been contributed from 21 outings in Germany's top flight and the Champions League this season, it appears unlikely that Chelsea will choose to meet those demands.
Something which may play into their favour is Dortmund struggling to qualify for next year's Champions League, currently down in 10th place in the Bundesliga table.
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Do Chelsea need a player like Adeyemi?
Any club could benefit from a player with the pace of Adeyemi, yet it has already been proven at Chelsea this term that pace is not everything.
Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk have endured mixed times in the final third, their final ball having often been lacking.
Adeyemi is arguably no different to the aforementioned pair and money may be better spent trying to acquire experienced competition for Nicolas Jackson down the centre.
Furthermore, Chelsea already have Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez to be added to their final-third options for the next campaign.
Darren Plant
