Karim Adeyemi is poised to leave Borussia Dortmund for FC Barcelona, with the German club confirming the forward was absent from the start of pre-season training on Sunday to facilitate transfer talks. The 23-year-old’s departure appears imminent as he is reportedly nearing a permanent move to the Spanish giants. Dortmund also confirmed that Kjell Wätjen was absent for similar reasons, with reports suggesting he is set to join FC Midtjylland.
Adeyemi joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of €30 million, quickly establishing himself as a key player under Edin Terzić. He enjoyed a productive debut season, scoring 9 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions, including the winning goal in the Klassiker against Bayern Munich. However, the 2023-24 campaign was disrupted by injury, limiting him to 24 Bundesliga appearances and 6 goals.
Barcelona have been actively seeking attacking reinforcements this summer following a disappointing season where they finished second in La Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals. Manager Hansi Flick is reportedly keen to add pace and directness to his forward line, and Adeyemi fits that profile. The club’s financial situation remains a challenge, meaning any deal will likely involve careful structuring of payments and potentially player exchanges.
Dortmund, meanwhile, are undergoing a period of transition following the departure of several key players, including Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham in recent years. While losing Adeyemi would be a blow, the club has a track record of identifying and developing young talent, and the funds generated from his sale could be reinvested in strengthening the squad. According to Sky Sports, Dortmund are seeking a fee in the region of €30 million for the German international.
The move represents a significant opportunity for Adeyemi to test himself in one of Europe’s top leagues and play for a club with a rich history and global fanbase. Should the transfer be completed, it will further bolster Barcelona’s attacking options as they aim to challenge for major honours next season.
