Arsenal have emerged as the latest club to be linked with RB Salzburg’s teenage sensation Karim Adeyemi. With Alexandre Lacazette’s contract ending in June 2022, the German forward is being deemed as a potential replacement to the French striker.
The 30-year-old striker has struggled to earn his place consistently under Mikel Arteta. Despite having emerged as a starting choice forward for the Gunners, Lacazette’s future seems destined to lie away from North London. Atletico Madrid have been touted as a possible destination.
The Mirror reports that Arsenal have identified 19-year-old Karim Adeyemi as a possible successor. Adeyemi has 11 goals and 1 assist in 14 league games as well as 3 goals and an assist from 4 games in the Champions League so far this season.
Although Adeyemi is contracted with Austrian champions RB Salzburg until June 2024, club chairman Harald Lurzer acknowledged the possibility that his side’s star player could be on the move in 2022. Speaking to BILD podcaster BayernInsider, Lurzg said:
“We are aware that Karim will probably take the next step next summer”.
Meanwhile, Sporting Director Christopher Fruend told Sky Sports Austria (via SI):
“Karim will finish the season with us, that is clearly the plan. I don’t know what could happen if Karim doesn’t finish the season with us”.
Valued at €18 million on Transfermarkt, it is widely believed that RB Salzburg would accept a bid ranging from €30-40million. Taking into consideration the player’s age, it could end up being a good long-term investment with low risk. It is also worth noting that Dusan Vlahovic, another forward the Gunners have been linked with, could cost an excess of €70 million.
Largely used as a centre-forward, Karim Adeyemi can also function effectively on either wing. After finishing the 2019-20 season with a goal and 3 assists in 347 minutes, the German cemented his place in the Salzburg XI with 7 goals and as many assists in 29 games last season.
Arsenal have reportedly joined Liverpool and PSG in the race for RB Salzburg star Karim Adeyemi pic.twitter.com/EhvUWnZ8Gx
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) November 23, 2021
Karim Adeyemi is a left-footed player. He can take on a man and beat him on the dribble, but at the same time, has an excellent sense of positioning while off the ball as well. This makes the German a daunting presence inside the penalty box, although he stands at just 5’9 in height. Albeit not the greatest chance creator, Adeyemi also has an appreciable hold-up play and can bring teammates into action with smart touches and movement. He has excellent acceleration as well.
However, securing the signature of the German forward is no easy task. Premier League rivals Liverpool have also been heavily linked to Adeyemi and it is being reported that Jurgen Klopp could lure the youngster over to Anfield.
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Outside of England, German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have also been linked as possible destinations, while reports in Spain indicate that FC Barcelona are close to landing the German. There could very well be a bidding war over RB Salzburg’s star-boy in June 2022, as PSG and Manchester City have also been linked.
Arsenal would greatly benefit from having a player of Adeyemi’s profile in their ranks. Similar to how Dortmund poached a certain Erling Haaland in the winter transfer window 2 years back, Arsenal could do well to begin their efforts to sign the forward.
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