Chelsea failed in their attempts to sign Karim Adeyemi - three years before his explosive Germany debut.
The 19-year-old has shot to fame over the international break after scoring on his debut for Die Mannschaft in a 6-0 win over Armenia.
Adeyemi is the latest to come through RB Salzburg's incredible production line, joining the likes of Erling Haaland, Patson Daka and Dayot Upamecano in recent years.
Liverpool are interested in signing the wonderkid, as well as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Chelsea had their own chance fall through back when the striker was just 16.
Back in 2018, Adeyemi was coming up through the SpVgg Unterhaching academy, a fourth-tier German club back in his hometown of Munich.
He would go on to leave for RB Salzburg that year instead of the Blues with club chairman Manfred Schwabl explaining how close Chelsea came to a deal - even admitting that the west London club flew the player over to hold personal talks.
“In 2018 we received an inquiry from a scout from Chelsea. He had a contract with us at the time,” he said.
“My contact with Karim’s family was very close. I then said that it would be a great story if we could look at it together on site. Then his dad, my daughter, Karim and I flew over and we went to see it at Chelsea.
“That was a really interesting experience and Karim also did well. He even trained with the older age group and left his mark.
“But for us and the parents it was always clear that this step to the island [England] at the age of 16 is still too big. Chelsea wanted him to join the academy, but we said we wanted Karim under our own wing.”
Those feelings were echoed by Adeyemi himself, who insisted he only had eyes on a next club if it meant he would get sufficient game-time.
“First of all, it is important to me that I play regularly." Adeyemi told Sport1.
“My focus is currently on the Austrian league. I am very happy that I have so much time here. I am fully focused on the task in Salzburg.
“I'm very happy that I can play here in Salzburg and that I get my minutes on a regular basis. Every moment on the pitch is precious.
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“I want to play in a club where I feel comfortable. Of course I dream of a Champions League win. It would be great to play for a club that regularly competes to win the Champions League.
“But that's not what I have in mind right now. For me it is important that I develop myself further in Salzburg."
