Karim Adeyemi could become a Barcelona player very soon. The club has already reached a verbal agreement with the player and is in negotiations with him Borussia Dortmund to agree to a final transfer fee, which could reach 30-40 million euros according to the German press, in a deal first reported by journalist Gerard Romero on “Jijantes”.
Adeyemi is a special request from coach Hansi Flick, who has declared that he is a big fan of the player and has officially requested his signature from the sports management team led by Deco. The Barça coach believes that the Dortmund player’s qualities fit perfectly with the style of play he has implemented at Barça.
Adeyemi, whose name has been linked with Barcelona in various transfer windows since his time at Salzburg, is under contract until June 30, 2027 – a situation that will force the German club to sit down and negotiate if they do not want the player to enter the final year of his contract and risk leaving on a free transfer.
Bullet in attack
His pace makes him a “nightmare” for opposing defences: on his Champions League debut against Sevilla in 2021 — while still with Salzburg — he conceded three penalties in 45 minutes.
In addition to being a speed demon, he is incredibly direct. His goal against Chelsea in the Champions League in 2023 is a memorable moment: he traveled 65 meters in 9 seconds with 11 touches.
He left Bayern due to lack of discipline
Adeyemi’s path to the elite is unusual to say the least. His mother is Romanian and his father is Nigerian… but he was born in Munich. In fact, his father played in Africa. “He says he could have had a great career in Europe. However, he was too old when he came here at the age of 30, so I became his project,” he says.
Adeyemi started at TSV Forstenried, but in 2010 he made the leap to Bayern. However, in 2012 — at the age of 10 — he went through the “back door”. Accounts vary. In Germany, they point to repeated disciplinary issues, but Adeyemi has always defended himself: “My teammates’ parents envied me.
Benched… for not studying
In 2012, at the age of 10, he joined SpVgg Unterhaching, which became his personal “lifeline”. “He didn’t just learn to play football, he also realized what it takes to be successful,” admits his mother, Alexandra, in statements published on the “Wett Freunde” website.
President Manfred Schwabl was the key. He made him study and work hard on his “household chores”. Otherwise… he wouldn’t play. “He has incredible speed, a deadly left foot and a cool head in front of goal,” says Schwabl.
Germany’s most expensive youth player
Chelsea, Atlético, Liverpool and Bayern Munich themselves came calling while he was playing for Unterhaching, but Adeyemi opted to move to Salzburg in 2018. The figures were not made public, but the €3.3 million transfer fee still makes him the most expensive youth player in the history of German football.
Salzburg said no to Barcelona
Adeyemi continued to attract suitors in Austria. Indeed, in 2020, he extended his contract with Salzburg until 2024, despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Barcelona – the latter of whom have reportedly offered up to €15 million to sign him.
To Dortmund for 30 million euros
His outstanding season with the ‘Bulls’ – where he finished as Austria’s top scorer with 19 goals – saw him join Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for €30m, filling the gap left by Haaland’s departure to Manchester City.
He runs 30 meters in 3.78 seconds
“Speed is my greatest strength,” Adeyemi often boasts. And that’s right; the striker was able to cover 30 meters in 3.78 seconds during his time in Salzburg. “He has incredible speed and power. He is fearless and looks to take players one on one,” said Michael Feichtenbeiner, his coach at the German U17 team, in an interview with “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
Flick gave him his debut in Germany.
He has represented *Die Mannschaft* at all youth levels. In 2019, he received the Fritz Walter Award as the top under-17 talent and in 2021, ‘Hansi’ Flick handed him his senior debut against Armenia – a game Adeyemi finished off by scoring the final goal in a 6-0 win.