Barcelona Pursues Karim Adeyemi for Summer Rebuild

Barcelona’s summer rebuild has a new name at the top of the wing list: Karim Adeyemi.

The Spanish champions have lodged an offer with Borussia Dortmund for the 24-year-old forward as they accelerate plans to reshape Hansi Flick’s attack for next season, a source has told ESPN. The move is part of a broader overhaul rather than a single headline signing.

Adeyemi in Barça’s sights

Adeyemi is under contract at Dortmund until 2027, but Barcelona believe there is an opening. They are hopeful the German club will sanction a sale at a reduced fee in this window, sensing a chance to move early before the market hardens.

Personal terms are largely in place. Barça have reached a loose understanding with the player over his contract, but the hard part remains: striking a deal with Dortmund. Negotiations are ongoing, and the same source stresses the move is “not imminent” and “nothing has been signed.” For now, it is intent rather than completion.

Crucially, Adeyemi is not being lined up as the long-term No. 9. His pursuit runs parallel to Barcelona’s main striking obsession: Julián Álvarez. Atlético Madrid’s forward remains the top target to lead the line.

Flick’s front-line shake-up

This is the rebuild Flick asked for. Back in March, ESPN revealed that the coach wanted a significant refresh in the final third despite back-to-back LaLiga titles. The response from the club hierarchy has been decisive.

The old guard and the stop-gaps are moving on. Robert Lewandowski has left for Chicago Fire on a free transfer, ending a prolific but ultimately finite chapter. Marcus Rashford has gone back to Manchester United after his loan spell. Ferran Torres is entering the final year of his deal, his future increasingly uncertain, and Roony Bardghji is another who could depart.

At the same time, Barcelona have already landed one marquee attacker. England international Anthony Gordon has arrived from Newcastle United in a €70 million deal, a statement of both ambition and trust in his potential to become a leading figure in Flick’s system.

President Joan Laporta has publicly confirmed a bid for Álvarez, who has made it clear he wants to leave Atlético. Yet even if that saga ends in Barça’s favour, the squad still needs width, pace and variety around the central striker.

That is where Adeyemi fits.

A different weapon out wide

Adeyemi brings something slightly different to what Barcelona already have. Comfortable across the front line, he offers an alternative profile to Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon. He can stretch defences, attack space, and work the channels rather than simply hug the touchline.

After bursting onto the scene with Red Bull Salzburg, Adeyemi joined Dortmund in 2022 and has now completed four seasons in Germany. Across 146 appearances for the club, he has scored 36 goals, including 10 in 39 games in all competitions last season.

Those numbers are solid rather than spectacular, but Barcelona are targeting his ceiling and versatility as much as his current output. In a squad that already includes Yamal’s left-footed genius, Raphinha’s directness and Gordon’s intensity, Adeyemi would add another gear to Flick’s pressing and transition game.

Barcelona have made their move. Dortmund know there is a market for a player entering his prime, tied down until 2027 but now firmly on the radar of one of Europe’s giants.

The question is no longer whether Barça want Karim Adeyemi. It is how far they are prepared to go, and how much Dortmund are willing to bend, to make him part of a front line being rebuilt to dominate the next era, not just the next season.