Chelsea identify £41.6m 'top transfer target' as Enzo Maresca problem highlighted

Chelsea have reportedly made Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi their top transfer target next summer. The Blues boast a bloated squad right now, but are keen to strengthen at the end of the season.

They have spent over £1billion since Todd Boehly arrived as the club's new owner in May 2022, with almost £300m of that coming during the most recent transfer window. Out of those that signed, only Pedro Neto has established himself as a regular starter in recent weeks - with the likes of Joao Felix, Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo instead used in their 'B team'.

But, despite the fact Chelsea have two almost line-ups to chose from, the Blues want to continue strengthening and another forward could be arriving at Stamford Bridge next summer. According to Calciomercato, Chelsea are eyeing up a move for Adeyemi from Dortmund, with Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool also in the race. It's added that 'interest' has been driven by Enzo Maresca - who 'appreciates his pace and balance'.

The report states the starting fee for Adeyemi, who has two-and-a-half years left on his contract at Dortmund, is £41.6m. If Chelsea are prepared to spend that amount on Adeyemi, it would take the outlay on attackers to above £350m since the Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover.

Before suffering a muscle injury last month, Adeyemi had made an excellent start to the season, scoring five times and adding five assists in eight appearances. He sustained the problem in the 7-1 win over Celtic and was forced to come off in the 48th minute having already scored a hat-trick.

Chelsea's move for Adeyemi could come at the detriment of the other wingers in their squad, however. Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Neto, Christopher Nkunku make up those who've played in that role under Maresca this season, with even Dewsbury-Hall used on the right last week against Newcastle.

READ MORE: Chelsea next five fixtures compared with Arsenal and Tottenham

READ MORE: Chelsea one game away from nightmare Nicolas Jackson scenario

With numbers out wide already bloated, could Chelsea be willing to sacrifice one of their current wingers? Sancho is on loan from United, but there is an obligation to buy in that agreement, meaning a proposed move for Adeyemi would - if things play out as planned - present Maresca with another conundrum.