Barcelona are on the verge of confirming the signing of Germany forward Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth up to €29m, with the player already in the city and waiting in a hotel for the club to finalise his official presentation.
The 24-year-old right winger is poised to become new head coach Hansi Flick’s second summer reinforcement for the 2026-27 campaign, following the arrival of England international Anthony Gordon.
Although Adeyemi reached an agreement with Barcelona last week, the transfer has not yet been made official and is now unlikely to be announced on Tuesday, despite the return of club president Joan Laporta from the World Cup final.
Medical completed and long-term deal agreed
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Adeyemi arrived in Barcelona last Wednesday and underwent his medical on Thursday.
He is expected to sign a five-year contract, tying him to the Catalan club for the next five seasons. Barcelona will pay Borussia Dortmund a fixed fee of €22m, with a further €7m in potential add-ons linked to performance-related variables.
Sources at the club say the transfer is fully agreed between all parties, but the formal confirmation is pending final coordination of the announcement and presentation schedule.
Despite the lack of an official statement, there are no doubts internally that Adeyemi will be unveiled as a Barcelona player this week.
Laporta’s schedule delays official unveiling
Club officials had initially hoped to announce the signing on Tuesday, aligning it with Laporta’s return to the city after he attended the World Cup final at the stadium.
However, the Barcelona hierarchy now believe it will be difficult to stage a full presentation on the same day, given the limited time to arrange the club’s event agenda and media commitments.
Administrative offices at Barcelona insist the official announcement will still take place before the end of the week, with the delay described as purely logistical rather than sporting or financial.
Waiting in hotel near Spotify Camp Nou
Adeyemi is currently staying with close associates in the hotel traditionally used by Barcelona for team accommodation, located very close to the Spotify Camp Nou.
He is expected to be presented at the stadium once the club completes its preparations, which typically include a public appearance on the pitch, a press conference and media duties.
Until the contracts are formally signed and his registration is processed, including his enrolment with Spain’s social security system, Adeyemi is not allowed to take part in group training or even individual sessions at the club’s facilities.
Battle with Yamal for starting spot
Once registered, the German international will compete directly with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for a place on the right flank in Flick’s starting XI.
The move underlines Barcelona’s commitment to strengthening their attacking options ahead of the 2026-27 season, as Flick reshapes the squad in his first major transfer window at the club.
Adeyemi, known for his pace and direct running, will link up with a forward line that now includes both Gordon and Yamal, as Barcelona look to build a new-look attack capable of challenging for domestic and European honours in the coming years.
