Manchester United are stepping up efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, with Sport Bild reporting that the Premier League club have officially begun negotiations with the player’s agent, super agent Jorge Mendes.
Adeyemi, whose current contract with Dortmund runs until 2027, is being targeted by the Red Devils.
The 23-year-old is currently in talks with Dortmund to improve his contract, but BVB bosses are reportedly refusing to comply with the request for a release clause to be included before committing to an extension.
Dortmund have so far been very reluctant to include a buyout clause and Adeyemi’s stance complicates discussions, with insiders believing an eventual separation is more likely.
Manchester United target unhappy with Borussia Dortmund
The situation has been made worse by reports that Adeyemi’s relationship with manager Niko Kovac is strained.
The winger has had a number of clashes with his coach this season over tactical instructions, discipline and playing time. A club source said Kovac was becoming increasingly frustrated with Adeyemi’s inconsistency and that the player felt his development was being stunted under the current regime.
Despite these tensions, Adeyemi’s talent remains undeniable. This season, he has appeared in 14 games and recorded 3 goals and 3 assists, showing explosive speed.
United spent more than £200m last summer bringing in Benjamin Sesco, Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, but the club’s technical staff believe the team still lacks wide players who can extend the defense and provide a vertical threat.
Adeyemi first emerged as a teenage prodigy at Red Bull Salzburg and has long been admired by United’s scouting department.
Adeyemi will have no shortage of suitors next year
His Bundesliga experience, Champions League background and versatility make him a great fit for Ruben Amorim’s system, which focuses on pacy forwards who can press aggressively and attack space.
German sources say Adeyemi’s insistence on a release clause is being interpreted as a clear signal that Dortmund are preparing for a move in 2026.
Man United, on the other hand, look ready to make a move. By making an early approach to Mendes, the Red Devils will have an advantage over their rivals who are monitoring the situation but have not yet made a formal statement of interest.
The player’s camp is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League, especially if Dortmund continue to resist his desired clause.
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