Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a summer bid for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi.
After failing to lure Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, Los Blancos entered the 2022-23 campaign with 35-year-old Karim Benzema as their leading marksman.
Benzema is Real's joint-top scorer across all competitions so far this season with 13 strikes to his name along with Vinicius Junior, who found the net in the 2-0 La Liga win over Valencia on Thursday night.
Carlo Ancelotti opted against bolstering his squad in the January transfer window, but the Italian is expected to delve into the summer market, and reinforcements in attack are believed to be on the agenda.
Both Benzema and Mariano Diaz are out of contact this summer, although the former is likely to pen fresh terms with the Spanish giants.
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Nevertheless, according to Defensa Central, Real Madrid have identified Dortmund's Adeyemi as a potential target this summer.
The report adds that Los Blancos have been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old for some time, but they are aware that negotiations to sign him from BVB may not be 'easy'.
Adeyemi was linked with a number of top European clubs last summer after a successful spell with Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg, where he recorded 34 goals and 24 assists in 94 appearances across all competitions.
However, Dortmund ultimately won the race for his signature, signing the young forward for around €30m on a deal until June 2027.
Adeyemi has since struggled to replicate his prolific Salzburg form with the Bundesliga club this season, scoring just three goals and registering only one assists in 21 appearances across all tournaments.
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The Germany international played down the middle for Salzburg but he has predominantly featured as a right-winger at Dortmund, who have preferred to play highly-rated teenager Youssoufa Moukoko or Anthony Modeste as the central striker.
Real Madrid are still thought to see potential in Adeyemi, though, and will consider tabling an offer for the forward ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The current La Liga and Champions League holders are also said to be interested in Adeyemi's Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham, who is set to become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe this summer.
A recent report claims that Real Madrid have made the 19-year-old Englishman their primary target for the summer market, but they will likely face stern competition from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United for his signature.
Oliver Thomas
