Manchester United, the renowned English football club, is reportedly in discussions with Jorge Mendes, the agent of Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi. This move comes amidst a potential rift between Adeyemi and his current club that could pave the way for a lucrative deal for the Red Devils.
The Red Devils had an impressive summer transfer window where they spent over £200 million ($263.3 million) to strengthen their forward line. The new additions included Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško. While Cunha and Mbeumo have adapted quickly to their new team, Šeško has been struggling due to a knee injury. As part of their long-term strategy to build a deep and functional squad, Manchester United is already scouting for more forwards. The uncertain future of unsettled striker Joshua Zirkzee further underscores the need for additional signings.
According to German publication BILD, Manchester United has shown interest in 23-year-old Adeyemi who is currently facing an uncomfortable situation at Borussia Dortmund due to concerns over his relationship with manager Niko Kovač. United's management has initiated talks with Mendes - who also represents current Red Devils stars Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte - aiming to gain insights into this situation.
Contractual issues adding fuel to fire
Adeyemi's contract which expires in 2027 adds another layer of complexity to this scenario. Although there isn't any immediate pressure on Dortmund regarding this matter, there are concerns that if allowed further delay it could lead towards desperation within the club ranks.
In negotiations about an extension, both Adeyemi and Mendes have demanded a long-term deal inclusive of a release clause – something that Dortmund usually hesitates to offer. However, there is a reported willingness from Dortmund's side to negotiate on this matter. The relationship between Adeyemi and Kovač is also under scrutiny as the two are reportedly not on good terms. This tension became public when a substitution before the international break led to Adeyemi expressing his frustration by throwing a water bottle.
While Manchester United's interest in Adeyemi is recent, he has previously been linked with other top-tier clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool. However, there have been no indications so far that these clubs would join any potential transfer race for the young forward.
