Barcelona Pursues Karim Adeyemi Amidst Attacking Overhaul

Barcelona’s attacking rebuild under Hansi Flick has taken another step, with the club submitting an offer for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, a source has told ESPN.

The 24-year-old, under contract at Dortmund until 2027, has emerged as a key target as Barça attempt to refresh their wide options without derailing their hunt for a new No. 9. Club figures believe Adeyemi could be prised away for a reduced fee this summer, sensing an opportunity in a market where pure wingers with his profile are scarce and expensive.

Talks with the player are already advanced. Barcelona have reached a loose agreement with Adeyemi over personal terms, an early sign of mutual interest in the move. The hard part now lies with Dortmund. Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, with the same source stressing the deal is “not imminent” and “nothing has been signed.”

In other words, this is a live pursuit, not a done deal.

Adeyemi part of wider attacking overhaul

Crucially for Barça, Adeyemi is not the answer to their No. 9 question. He is an extra piece in a much larger attacking puzzle. Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez remains the top target for the central striker role, and president Joan Laporta has already confirmed that a bid is on the table for the Argentine, who has publicly stated his intention to leave Atlético.

The scale of the rebuild explains the urgency. Barcelona have already lost heavyweight firepower. Robert Lewandowski, the reference point of their attack in recent seasons, has joined Chicago Fire on a free transfer. Marcus Rashford’s loan has ended, sending him back to Manchester United. Ferran Torres is running into the final year of his contract, and Roony Bardghji could also depart.

Flick wanted a shake-up. He is getting one.

ESPN reported back in March that the German coach had asked for a revamped front line despite back-to-back LaLiga titles. The message from the bench was clear: domestic dominance is not enough, and the current squad needs more variety, more speed, more unpredictability in the final third.

Barcelona have already made one major statement with the €70 million signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. The England international adds direct running and end product from the left, but the club hierarchy knows that one winger and a potential No. 9 will not be enough for a season that will stretch across LaLiga, the Champions League and domestic cups.

Depth out wide has become a priority, not a luxury.

A different profile for Barça’s flanks

That is where Adeyemi comes in. The Germany international can operate across the front line, but his most dangerous work comes cutting in from the wing, attacking space and running at defenders. At Barcelona, he would offer something different to Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon — a more vertical, explosive threat who thrives in transition but can also stretch compact defences.

After bursting onto the scene at Red Bull Salzburg, Adeyemi moved to Dortmund in 2022. Across four seasons with the Bundesliga side, he has made 146 appearances and scored 36 goals, including 10 in 39 outings in all competitions last season. Those numbers are solid rather than spectacular, yet his appeal lies as much in his movement and versatility as in his finishing.

For Flick, who knows the Bundesliga landscape intimately, Adeyemi represents a familiar and flexible option. For Barcelona, he represents insurance: a player who can cover both flanks, support a central striker, and ease the load on young star Lamine Yamal, whose development the club is determined to protect.

The pursuit is still at the negotiation stage, with Dortmund holding a strong contractual position and no immediate pressure to sell. Barcelona, constrained by finances but emboldened by recent success, are trying to find the sweet spot — a fee low enough to fit their budget, high enough to tempt a Champions League regular into doing business.

They have made their move. Dortmund now decide how hard they want to play this one, while Barcelona juggle the Adeyemi talks with the far bigger swing for Julián Álvarez that could ultimately define the shape of their new attack.