Manchester United eye Dortmund star Adeyemi as Kovac tensions open a door

Rising talent under pressure at Dortmund

Karim Adeyemi, one of Borussia Dortmund's brightest talents, is navigating one of the most challenging spells of his career as doubts mount about his future amid a tense relationship with coach Nico Kovac and reports of Manchester United's interest in a move this winter.

It's not just a dip in form; the issue has spilled into public clashes with Kovac. Since late September, the 23-year-old has failed to score or assist, inviting sharp criticism from around the club.

Clash, incident, and the talk of a transfer

The flashpoint came on October 25 when Adeyemi tossed a water bottle toward the bench after being substituted in a 1-0 win over Cologne, drawing a firm rebuke from Kovac: "It's not necessary, players can be angry, but this behavior is unacceptable; he is an adult and must control his emotions."

Since then the relationship has remained tense. The same scene reappeared in Dortmund's latest draw with Hamburg, when Kovac was visibly unhappy with Adeyemi's decisions and hauled him off in the 66th minute.

Contract talks, Mendes linkage, and United interest

According to German paper Bild, Adeyemi's future is on Dortmund's agenda with his representatives. His current deal runs until 2027, but his agent is pushing for a long-term extension that would include a release clause of 70 million pounds, an unusual move for Dortmund, which normally shuns large clauses in players' contracts.

However, the club may have to consider this exception to keep the player and protect his market value, especially with interest from several European clubs, notably Manchester United.

Adeyemi has recently joined the agency network of super-agent Jorge Mendes, known for strong ties to Old Trafford and for orchestrating big moves in recent years. With United pursuing a new project under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, targeting young high-potential talents like Adeyemi fits the club's evolving blueprint.

As Kovac tries to salvage things, the Dortmund coach did not close the door on improving their relationship. In a pre-match press conference before facing Hamburg, he said: "Adeyemi's passing quality is noticeably below City’s, he had a few chances but lacked accuracy; still, I'm satisfied he created those opportunities." He added: "We work hard; there are many matches, and we can't train regularly. Karim is 23 and has huge potential, but he needs to improve some aspects, which we are working on daily."

Numbers on offer

Since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg, Adeyemi has played 121 games for Dortmund, scoring 29 goals and providing 22 assists — solid numbers, though below the lofty expectations that accompanied his arrival at Signal Iduna Park as one of Germany's brightest young talents.

Before the season, Adeyemi expressed love and loyalty to Dortmund. In an interview ahead of a Club World Cup clash with Real Madrid, he said: "Our aim is to win the match. We know the quality of the opponent, but we know our own strengths; there is no reason to hide." When asked about his future, he spoke with emotion: "I've always said I love this club. I grew up a fan, and my family does too. If I stay here my whole career, I won't regret it."

His heartfelt statements reveal real affection for the club, but the reality remains that the relationship with Kovac needs repair and his level must rise quickly, especially as European heavyweights circle for a winger with pace and potential.

Manchester United, rebuilt under the leadership of Ruben Amorim, could see Adeyemi as a perfect fit for a project built on energy, speed, and intense pressing.

Punchline 1: If this deal goes through, United will finally have a winger who can outrun their press conferences.

Punchline 2: Dortmund might sell him for 70 million pounds, but hey, at least they won't have to spell his name on the board every week.