Barcelona Close to Signing Karim Adeyemi as Hansi Flick's Attack Takes Shape

Barcelona’s summer rebuild is accelerating, and the next piece of Hansi Flick’s new-look forward line is almost in place. Club sources have confirmed to ESPN that Barça are close to sealing a deal for Karim Adeyemi after a breakthrough in talks with Borussia Dortmund.

The Catalan side saw an initial bid of around €20 million rejected, but they have come back with an improved offer that has unlocked the negotiations. The agreement now being finalised is set at an initial €22m, with a further €7m tied to performance-related add-ons. Dortmund have also secured a percentage of any future profit should Barcelona sell the player on.

Barça expect to wrap up the transfer in the coming days. Adeyemi would become their second attacking signing of the summer, following the €70m arrival of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, a move that underlined just how aggressively the Spanish champions are reshaping their frontline.

Crucially, the Adeyemi and Gordon deals sit alongside, not instead of, Barça’s pursuit of a new No. 9. The club remain intent on landing Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez as the long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski, who has already departed for Chicago Fire FC on a free transfer. The Pole’s exit, combined with the end of Marcus Rashford’s loan and uncertainty over Ferran Torres’ future as he enters the final year of his contract, has opened the door to a sweeping overhaul that Flick himself requested back in March.

The German coach knows exactly what he is getting with Adeyemi. Flick handed the forward his Germany debut during his spell in charge of the national team and has long been an admirer of the 24-year-old’s pace and flexibility across the front line. Adeyemi can operate on either flank or through the middle, a trait that fits neatly with Flick’s preference for fluid, interchangeable attacking trios.

For Barcelona, the plan is clear: build a frontline that can stretch and harass defences from every angle. Gordon has already arrived. Adeyemi is expected to follow. Álvarez remains the big target. Together, those three would join an attacking group that currently features Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Torres, with Roony Bardghji also a possible departure as the club continues to trim and refresh the squad.

Adeyemi comes into this move with solid pedigree. After bursting onto the scene at Red Bull Salzburg, he joined Dortmund in 2022 and has since made 146 appearances for the Bundesliga side, scoring 36 goals. Last season he found the net 10 times in 39 outings across all competitions, numbers that hint at his threat while leaving room for growth under a coach who believes he can extract more.

If Barcelona get this over the line, Flick will have one more familiar weapon and one step closer to the relentless, rotating front line he has been pushing for. The question now is whether the club can complete the final piece and land Álvarez to anchor an attack built to dominate both Spain and Europe.