Transfers
Inside Barcelona: Adeyemi, Mendes and Deco drive rapid transfer
Barcelona moved quickly to secure Karim Adeyemi because the winger was set to become a free agent, and the Catalan club did not want to lose a potential first‑team attacker without compensation. The urgency was amplified by the club’s desire to add pace on the flanks before the summer window closed.
Inside the transfer saga, Barcelona formally notified Borussia Dortmund of their interest in Adeyemi, launching the negotiation process. The club’s sporting director Deco then reached out directly to Dortmund chief executive Lars Ricken and sporting director Sebastian Kehl to open talks.
Deco’s opening proposal offered €20 million in fixed payments, reflecting Adeyemi’s contract situation and Barcelona’s intention to avoid a bidding war. Borussia Dortmund rejected the initial offer, stating that their valuation of the player stood at roughly €31 million, based on the investment made when signing him from Red Bull Salzburg.
At a critical juncture, Adeyemi intervened personally, calling Dortmund from a short holiday in the United States to declare Barcelona as his only preferred destination. His direct message increased pressure on the German side to find a resolution.
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Acting as intermediary, agent Jorge Mendes swiftly facilitated a revised offer. Within 24 hours Deco returned an improved proposal of €22 million guaranteed, supplemented by performance‑related bonuses that could raise the total considerably. The revised terms were presented as final, with Barcelona warning that the alternative would be Adeyemi leaving on a free transfer. Dortmund gave verbal approval, allowing lawyers from both clubs to begin preparing the official paperwork, which also includes a future‑transfer percentage clause. Another influential figure was Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, who spoke directly with Adeyemi to outline the sporting project awaiting him at the Catalan club. Those conversations reinforced the winger’s conviction that Barcelona was the right destination. After a brief return to Dortmund to collect his belongings, Adeyemi travelled to Barcelona to complete the formalities and sign a five‑year contract. The agreement now awaits official registration, with the clubs preparing the necessary documentation. According to (h/t SPORT), the entire operation was completed in under three days, making it one of the fastest transfer negotiations of the summer. The rapid conclusion highlights the combined decisive actions of Deco, Mendes and the player himself.