Major boost for Man Utd as ‘extraordinary’ UCL star wants out; He’s more affordable than Semenyo

The stars could finally line up for Manchester United in their quest to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi.

The Red Devils’ main priority in 2026 is to revamp their midfield department, but they’re also expected to address other roles, including the attack, as they will require additional depth, especially if they manage to qualify for Europe.

In recent months, Antoine Semenyo has emerged as Man Utd’s main target to bolster the attacking department. The Old Trafford outfit had already eyed a move for the Bournemouth star last summer, before eventually opting to recruit Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

Nevertheless, the Ghanaian isn’t the only name on the club’s shortlist.

Man United target Karim Adeyemi set to leave Borussia Dortmund

In recent months, it was reported that United held talks with Jorge Mendes for Adeyemi. The Portuguese super-agent has recently become the German international’s representative, and it appears that a summer move could be inevitable.

According to Bild, the player’s wife, Loredana, is no longer happy with life in Dortmund. The professional rapper has thus asked the 23-year-old to move to a major European city.

(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

The famous German newspaper confirms Man Utd’s interest in Adeyemi, while also revealing alternative destinations, mainly Inter Milan and Arsenal. However, MUFC might have an edge thanks to their Head of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell, who oversaw the player’s rise at RB Salzburg.

In addition to his wife’s desire to change air, the winger has other reasons to leave BVB, including the reported lack of chemistry between him and his manager, Niko Kovac, which could be the reason behind his recent inconsistent displays.

Moreover, Adeyemi’s contract with the German giants will expire in 2027. His agent has asked the club to include an affordable release clause in the new deal, but Dortmund rejected this condition, which led to a standstill in the negotiations.

Why Man Utd could opt for Adeyemi instead of Semenyo

Like Semenyo, Adeyemi is a versatile attacker who can play on either flank. He has also been occasionally fielded as a striker.

Due to the Ghanaian’s Premier League experience, he could be preferred over the German, a strategy that paid dividends with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo, who have swiftly adjusted to life at Carrington, unlike Benjamin Sesko, who’s still trying to find his feet in England following a summer move from the Bundesliga.

However, with Man Utd planning a midfield overhaul next summer, they might not be able to allocate a large tranfer fee for an attacking addition, which could force them to pursue affordable profiles. It has been reported that Semenyo’s release clause will drop to just over £50 million in the summer.

While Bild doesn’t offer any indications regarding Dortmund’s asking price for Adeyemi, one would imagine that they’ll be forced to settle for a relatively modest fee, given that the player’s contract will be set to expire the following year.