Speculation Surrounds Adeyemi’s Future Amidst Frustrations at Dortmund

Speculation regarding Karim Adeyemi’s future has intensified in recent weeks. According to *Bild*, negotiations have occurred between Borussia Dortmund and the player’s representatives, with agent Jorge Mendes requesting that a £70 million release clause be included in a potential contract extension. Typically, Borussia Dortmund does not include release clauses in their contracts; however, the report suggests that an exception may be considered in this case.

Mendes maintains a beneficial working relationship with Manchester United, and it has been reported that they are aware of Adeyemi’s dissatisfaction with his manager. The Portuguese super-agent has successfully facilitated transfers to Old Trafford for his clients Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte in recent years.

Adeyemi has appeared frustrated recently, prompting a public response from his manager, Niko Kovac. After a strong start to the season, the talented winger has experienced a goal drought, failing to score or assist since late September.

During Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 victory over Köln last month, Adeyemi expressed his frustration by throwing a water bottle at the bench after being substituted. Kovac publicly criticized the player’s behavior, stating, “I think that’s unnecessary. It’s okay for him to be angry at times, but that’s unwarranted; he’s an adult.”

The dynamics between Kovac and Adeyemi further deteriorated during Dortmund’s recent 1-1 draw with Hamburg, where Kovac was seen visibly frustrated with Adeyemi’s decision-making in critical moments. The two engaged in a heated exchange on the bench following Adeyemi’s substitution in the 66th minute.

Despite the apparent rift, Kovac continues to include Adeyemi in the starting lineup. The German international faced challenges in Dortmund’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League last week, missing several scoring opportunities. Kovac substituted him in the 81st minute but offered support by patting him on the back and later defended him during the post-match press conference.

When questioned about the nature of their relationship and the rumors of discord, Kovac remarked, “That’s an internal matter. We have a special relationship. Offensively, he played a good game. He needs to reward himself for his performance more often because he had two or three really good chances. Unfortunately, he did not convert them.”

Despite his recent struggles, Adeyemi is regarded as a highly promising talent capable of enhancing any team’s offensive capabilities. Since joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022, he has netted 29 goals and provided 22 assists across 121 matches. His potential has also earned him occasional appearances for the German national team, with 11 caps and one goal since his debut in 2021.

The recent appointment of Mendes as his agent could pave the way for a transfer to Manchester United, but an improved contract with Dortmund remains a possibility. Furthermore, with fellow player Nico Schlotterbeck reportedly unhappy under Kovac’s management and linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund’s executives may find it increasingly challenging to retain their discontented players. It will be intriguing to see how these developments impact the manager’s starting lineup when Dortmund faces Stuttgart following the international break.