Man Utd and Chelsea's £75m target tells club he favours Arsenal transfer

Arsenal are reportedly the frontrunners in the race for Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi (Picture: Getty)

Karim Adeyemi has reportedly informed Borussia Dortmund that his ideal club would be Arsenal should he up sticks and seek a new challenge next summer.

The 23-year-old winger is soon to enter into the final 18 months of his current contract with Dortmund and speculation is mounting that this season could be his last at Westfalenstadion.

A number of elite teams across European football are known to be admirers of Adeyemi and the forward’s promising start to the campaign will only have solidified that interest.

The Germany international scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions in BVB’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Stuttgart at the weekend. He has also chipped in with three assists in the Bundesliga and the Champions League .

According to The Mirror , Manchester United are among the many sides keeping close tabs on Adeyemi’s situation at Dortmund with a view to luring the attacker to the Theatre of Dreams.

It’s claimed Old Trafford bosses have even sounded out Adeyemi’s representative, Jorge Mendes, to determine whether it would be possible to wrap up a deal in 2026.

However, the report claims the Red Devils ‘are bracing themselves for disappointment’ in the race for Adeyemi given the player himself has picked out Premier League leaders Arsenal as his ‘preferred destination’.

Adeyemi’s contract talks with Dortmund have stalled (Picture: Getty)

United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all been linked with the forward (Picture: Getty)

Adeyemi’s discussions regarding a new contract have ground to a halt and Niko Kovac has grown increasingly resigned to the prospect that he could be without the winger in his squad next season.

Chelsea are also believed to be in the running for Adeyemi’s signature and held talks to sign the BVB star as recently as January , only to focus their attentions on alternative attacking targets.

Dortmund are said to have slapped a £75million price tag on the sought-after German.

A trait that would undoubtedly be appealing to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is Adeyemi’s versatility. Since swapping Red Bull Salzburg for Dortmund back in 2022, he has operated as a No.10 and on either flank.

BVB are demanding a fee of £75m for Adeyemi (Picture: Getty) (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners are well stocked in the attacking areas, though, and Bukayo Saka currently has a stranglehold on the right wing position – Adeyemi’s preferred role.

Adeyemi hit the headlines in Germany for all the wrong reasons earlier this month after he was charged with the possession of two illegal weapons – a knuckleduster and a stun gun.

He later apologised for his ‘huge mistake’ in a lengthy post on Instagram , telling his followers: ‘You have probably seen the headlines about me in the last few days. It is not easy for me to talk about this.

‘At the beginning of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called “mystery box” on the internet.

The sought-after attacker is yet to win any silverware with Dortmund (Picture: Getty)

‘It contained items that are not permitted under weapons legislation. Many months later, the package was delivered and ended up unopened at the police station.

‘Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very sorry about, that cost me dearly and that I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and have a role model function. I did not live up to that.

‘That is precisely why it hurts me all the more that I acted so recklessly. I have learned more from this than I can put into words.

‘I promise you that I will avoid such mistakes in the future. Thank you to everyone who still trusts and supports me.’

Despite the bizarre error of judgement, Dortmund head coach Kovac reassured Adeyemi that he would receive the ‘full support’ of the club.

‘It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks,’ Kovac told reporters.

‘I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective.

‘Everything has now been said about it. The focus is clearly on the Bundesliga. He will get our full support for that.’