How Barcelona won the race for Karim Adeyemi in 8 days

Barcelona have completed the signing of Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund after a week of confirmation of interest and negotiation with the German club.

In today’s transfer market, Karim Adeyemi could easily worth over €70 million given his talent and age, especially with the kind of clubs showing interest in him, but Barcelona got him for way less.

The deal was finalized for just €22 million guaranteed with €7 million in add-ons, a bargain fee for the talented winger, who would easily be worth much more.

After sporting director Deco’s direct approach, the player refused to negotiate with any other suitor, and a decisive final offer secured Dortmund’s agreement, with the risk of losing him for free next summer in mind.

With the move now sealed and delivered, we look at how Barcelona was able to secure the deal in no time, and at a bargain fee.

How Barcelona won Karim Adeyemi race?

The opening calls and Barça’s first bid

Barcelona’s move for Karim Adeyemi began in earnest on July 8, when sporting director Deco called Dortmund officials Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl to formally register the club’s interest.

It was a moment when Dortmund already anticipated losing the winger after he had rejected every contract renewal offer with his deal set to expire in 2027.

Yet, Barcelona’s opening bid of €20m fell well short of the roughly €38m Dortmund had paid Red Bull Salzburg for him in 2022.

Adeyemi’s stance: Barcelona or nobody

For the German international, it was always Barcelona if he is leaving, and this stalemate prompted Adeyemi’s agent to intervene, making clear he would not negotiate with anyone except Barcelona.

The stance formed was communicated to Dortmund while he was vacationing in the United States and meeting former German teammate Marco Reus.

Mendes steps in with a final offer

With agent Jorge Mendes involved, Barcelona returned within 24 hours with what they described as a final offer of €22m fixed plus €7m in easily achievable bonuses, warning there would be no third proposal.

Faced with Adeyemi’s stance and the risk of losing him for nothing in 2027, Dortmund verbally accepted, in an agreement that also includes a 35% sell-on clause the German club reportedly view as unlikely to yield much given the five-year contract on offer.

Flick’s pitch seals the deal

Head coach Hansi Flick’s personal explanation of Adeyemi’s intended role at Barcelona proved decisive in fully winning the player over.

Karim Adeyemi then flew back from the United States, said his goodbyes at Dortmund, and travelled to Barcelona for his medical and to sign the paperwork.