Barça fulfills Flick's wishes

BarcelonaWhen Hansi Flick signed for Barça in the summer of 2024, the German coach knew perfectly well that the club's economic situation was delicate and that top-tier signings could not be afforded. A year later, he was greatly disappointed when he learned that he would have to wait another season to be able to strengthen the squad, as delays in the return to Camp Nou conditioned the fair play financier. The third one was the right one and Barça faces a summer without more restrictions than those of its budget. Once Anthony Gordon has been signed for 70 million plus variables, the next target is Karim Adeyemi, a Borussia Dortmund forward, who, if nothing goes wrong, will be a Blaugrana this very week. The German club has already admitted that the footballer is not training and has permission to negotiate his departure.

Before leaving on vacation, the coach made a plea to Joan Laporta's board and technical secretary Deco. "We can't make a mistake." He asked for quality signings that would improve the squad's level, and above all, that would allow him to better develop his game plan. He considers that the midfield line is more than covered – in fact, there is one spot left over, that of Marc Casadó, who is expected to leave Barça this summer–. He also doesn't worry about the goalkeeper position. In defense, he would like to strengthen with some more players – besides João Cancelo, who is already being considered to remain a blaugrana–. But, above all, he considered that additions were needed in the forward line. And more so after the departure of Robert Lewandowski and the probable exit of Ferran Torres, who has not renewed his contract and has Luis Enrique's PSG lurking.

With the doubt of whether Julián Álvarez can finally be signed –the bad relationship between president Joan Laporta and Atlético de Madrid's sporting director, Mateu Alemany, greatly hinders negotiations–, Barça has secured replacements on the wings. Flick wants technical, fast, and above all, hardworking players who help a lot with the high press he demands from the team, something Marcus Rashford did not offer, who will return to Manchester United once his loan ends. Gordon plays on the left wing and will be the replacement for Raphinha, who has suffered three muscular injuries this season. In principle, the Brazilian will stay at Barça even though he has has very juicy offers from Saudi Arabia.

With the left wing covered, the right wing will also be doubled with Adeyemi's arrival. With Borussia Dortmund, the German attacker has played in all three forward positions, but where he feels most comfortable is on the right wing. In this position, the undisputed starter is Lamine Yamal. However, besides not being able to play every minute, there is also the possibility that Flick will place him in the center of the attack as a false nine. In any case, with Adeyemi's arrival, it is planned that Roony Bardghji will leave, probably on loan, as he has not fully convinced the coach in the minutes he has had on the pitch, especially in the final stretch of the season with Lamine Yamal's injury.

A fast winger with association capacity

Karim Adeyemi was one of Germany's most promising footballers. At 16 years old, RB Salzburg paid 10 million to sign him, and when he was 22, he was recruited by Dortmund for 30 million: in the 22-23 season, he had excelled with the Austrian team, scoring 23 goals and providing 8 assists in the 44 matches he played. Standing out for his speed and his ability to link up with teammates, he played in the Qatar 2022 World Cup under Hansi Flick, but his performance declined due to injuries that prevented him from maintaining consistency. Despite everything, this season he has played 41 matches with Dortmund, scoring 10 goals and making 8 assists. He has also played three matches with the mannschaft, although, in the end, he did not make the list to play in the World Cup. According to the Transfermarkt portal, Adeyemi had reached a value of 60 million, but it is currently 40, the figure the German team initially asked for, but which Barça has managed to reduce, partly because the footballer had one year left on his contract and did not want to renew. It also helps a lot that his representative is Jorge Mendes.Thus, the negotiations between Barça, Dortmund, and the footballer are very advanced and a verbal agreement has already been reached, pending the drafting and signing of contracts, according to blaugrana sources. The operation would cost 22 million euros fixed and 7 in variables linked to titles he may win with Barça. On the other hand, the German club guarantees 20% of a future capital gain in case of a subsequent transfer of the player. In terms of salary, Sky Germany explains that Adeyemi will earn 6 million net – 12 gross – and this represents a reduction compared to the 14 that Rashford received. His incorporation is also more economical, as the price Barça is paying is less than the 30 that had to be paid to keep the English attacker. The objective is to close the agreement with some speed so that Adeyemi, who has not played in the World Cup, can join the preseason as soon as possible.