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Barcelona's ambition to strengthen their attack is well known, as is their interest in Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez. While that high-profile pursuit of the Argentine star continues, reports now indicate the La Liga title holders are working to secure yet another addition.
As first reported by Gerard Romero, the newest name on Barcelona's radar is Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, with negotiations already underway to bring the 24-year-old to Camp Nou ahead of next season.
Fabrizio Romano subsequently confirmed that Barcelona have already reached a personal terms agreement with Adeyemi, whose deal at Dortmund expires in just 12 months. The German international has made clear his intention to move on and has no plans to renew his contract.
If Barcelona can finalize an agreement with Dortmund, Adeyemi would become the club's second attacking signing of the summer, joining the high-profile acquisition of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. The push to sign Álvarez following the World Cup also remains very much alive.
The connection between Barcelona and Adeyemi may be recent, but remarks made by Hansi Flick back in 2021 seem to shed light on exactly why he is driving this particular move.
What Has Flick Said About Adeyemi?
Flick and Adeyemi share a meaningful history.
It was the current Barcelona manager who gave a teenage Adeyemi his debut for the German national side in 2021—a call-up that raised plenty of eyebrows at the time. Although Adeyemi, then playing for Red Bull Salzburg, was widely regarded as a future star, many believed he wasn't yet ready to make the step up to international football.
When asked to justify his decision to include Adeyemi five years ago, Flick was straightforward in explaining what drew him to the young attacker.
"He has incredible speed and a very sharp first touch," Flick said in 2021. "His biggest strengths really come out in one-on-one duels, and he had already racked up a lot of goals early in the season. He's a top-quality attacker.
"We've had our eye on Karim Adeyemi for quite some time. I also came up against him as Bayern [Munich] manager when we faced Salzburg, so I'm well aware of what he's capable of. Going forward, he's someone who can change a game."
How Would Adeyemi Fit in at Barcelona?
While Adeyemi has had a respectable stint at Dortmund—contributing 36 goals and 25 assists across 146 outings—many would concede he hasn't fully delivered on the promise he showed earlier in his career. Nevertheless, the qualities that caught Flick's attention back then remain very much intact.
Adeyemi, who developed as a central striker at Salzburg before transitioning into a wide role at Dortmund, possesses remarkable athleticism and excels at taking on defenders one-on-one—attributes that would translate well at Barcelona.
His versatility across a dynamic front line, much like Gordon and last season's loan signing Marcus Rashford, will certainly count in his favor, even if his primary role is expected to be that of a squad contributor.
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The continued chase for Álvarez makes it clear Adeyemi is not being lined up as the first-choice striker, but there is an obvious need for a dependable backup both centrally and out wide. His regular spot on the right flank is taken by Lamine Yamal, while Gordon and Raphinha's presence on the left means any new face would likely serve as cover. Adeyemi's ability to fill in across all three forward positions makes him an attractive option in that regard.
With his contract winding down, Adeyemi should be attainable at a reasonable cost. No specific fee has been disclosed, but Dortmund's limited leverage in negotiations means they will likely settle for a reduced sum rather than risk losing him for nothing. Barcelona's financial situation has improved considerably in recent years, but the opportunity to land a player of Adeyemi's caliber at a bargain price is simply too good to pass up.