Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund, in a move that adds another unexpected piece to the club’s summer rebuild. The agreement is not yet finalised, but it is expected to be completed in the near future.
The deal comes after Barcelona had seen a €20million offer rejected earlier this week. Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, has been in North America for the World Cup and is expected to continue monitoring the tournament while the move is wrapped up.
Why the move stands out
Adeyemi was left out of Germany’s World Cup squad after a difficult spell with form and fitness at the end of the season. He also had only a year left on his contract at Dortmund, which made him available as a market opportunity rather than a long-term pursuit.
He mostly played as a central forward for Dortmund last season and finished with 10 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances in all competitions. Since joining from RB Salzburg in 2022, he has produced 36 goals and 25 assists in 146 appearances.
| Player | Club | Recent Output | Contract Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karim Adeyemi | Borussia Dortmund | 10 goals, 6 assists in 39 appearances last season | 1 year remaining |
| Karim Adeyemi | RB Salzburg to Dortmund | 36 goals, 25 assists in 146 appearances since 2022 | Joined Dortmund in 2022 |
Flick’s attack gets another speed option
According to Barcelona sources, Hansi Flick played a key role in approving the move once the opportunity emerged. The German coach values fast, diligent attackers who can help his team press aggressively and recover the ball quickly.
That fits with Barcelona’s broader summer approach. The club has already brought in Anthony Gordon for €80m from Newcastle, while Ansu Fati has left for Monaco, Robert Lewandowski has joined Chicago Fire, and Barcelona did not activate the €30m buy option in Marcus Rashford’s loan agreement from Manchester United.
Adeyemi can play on either wing, behind the striker, or as a central forward, but there is still no obvious path into the starting line-up. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are established as starting wingers, and Roony Bardghji may leave on loan.
Questions around fit and form
The Athletic reported in June that Adeyemi was open to leaving Dortmund this summer, with the Premier League his preferred destination. Aston Villa also held long-standing interest in the 24-year-old forward.
German football writer Sebastian Stafford-Bloor said Adeyemi’s speed and finishing can make him “incredibly dangerous,” but noted that consistency has often eluded him. He also pointed to concerns over his touch, technical quality, decision-making, and off-field distractions.
Stafford-Bloor added that the player’s potential remains “largely unrealised,” even if his pace gives Flick a tool that is not widely available in the current Barcelona squad. For Barcelona, the deal looks like a calculated gamble on upside, not a finished product.
Barcelona’s wider priority remains unchanged
Adeyemi’s arrival does not alter Barcelona’s desire to sign Julián Álvarez. The Argentina striker remains their top priority for the summer and the player they want to eventually replace Lewandowski.
For now, though, Barcelona are close to adding another rapid attacker to a squad that is already being reshaped around high pressing, transitions, and more direct threat in attack.