Manchester United’s rearmost transfer rumour has taken an unanticipated twist after it surfaced that Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s former director and long-standing Premier League rival, formerly had a strong interest in signing Karim Adeyemi.
With the Borussia Dortmund winger now being linked with a possible move to Old Trafford, United could end up chasing a player Klopp formerly viewed as a perfect fit for his own team.
Adeyemi, now 23, has had a grueling spell in Germany this season. Known for his pace and direct approach, the forward has plodded to make instigation, failing to register a thing or help since late September.
Across all competitions, he has only three pretensions in 14 appearances, not the affair Dortmund had hoped for from one of their brightest youthful bents.
Pressures on the touchline have also made captions. During Dortmund’s narrow 1 – 0 win over Köln, Adeyemi replied angrily to being substituted and threw a water bottle towards the bench.
Boss Niko Kovač did not hide his frustration afterwards, saying: “I think that’s unnecessary. It’s okay that he can be angry sometimes, but that’s unnecessary; he’s an adult.”
The disagreements didn’t stop there. A few weeks later, Kovač again showed visible irritation at the winger’s decision-making and removed him shortly after the hour mark.
With these issues building up, reports from BILD have hinted that his future at the club may no longer be secure, despite his contract running until 2027.
Klopp’s View on Adeyemi and Man Utd
Fresh rumours linking Adeyemi to Manchester United have sparked renewed interest in Klopp’s past admiration for the youngster.
Years before the current transfer talk, the former Liverpool manager was reportedly “very interested” in bringing the German forward to Anfield.
Klopp Was ‘Very Interested’
Adeyemi burst onto the scene during the 2021/22 season at Red Bull Salzburg, scoring 23 pretensions in 44 games. His performances attracted attention across Europe, and according to BILD, Klopp was one of the most eager suitors at the time.
Although the move never materialised and Adeyemi chose Borussia Dortmund instead, the Liverpool coach’s admiration still adds an intriguing twist as Man Utd now circle around the player.
United themselves had been linked with Adeyemi around the same period, although several voices suggested such a move might have been premature.
Manfred Schwabl, chairman of Adeyemi’s former club SpVgg Unterhaching, had preliminarily prompted caution when speaking about the possibility of a move to a Premier League mammoth like Liverpool or Man Utd.
Man Utd’s Interest in Adeyemi
Despite his recent struggles, Adeyemi still fits the profile of the type of player Manchester United has been targeting: presto, energetic, attack-inclined, and still youthful enough to develop further.
With the club witnessing a rebuild, adding a protean forward with implicit downside could appeal to the reclamation platoon.
If United do choose to move forward, they will be negotiating with super-agent Jorge Mendes, who oversees Adeyemi’s representation.
Mendes is a familiar figure at Old Trafford, having previously been involved in high-profile deals for players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and, more recently, linked names like Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Adeyemi’s Dortmund Situation
Adeyemi’s on-field frustrations and tense exchanges with his director have become a focal point of Dortmund’s season.
Moments like the water bottle incident, as well as Kovač criticising his decision-making, have added energy to transfer the enterprise. As clubs cover the situation, Dortmund may be forced to review their long-term plans for the player.
Could Adeyemi Join Man Utd?
The question now is whether Adeyemi is ready for the demands of the Premier League, especially at a club like Manchester United, where scrutiny and anticipation are constant.
His gift is clear, but thickness and disposition will play a major part in determining whether a move to England would help elevate his career or pose new challenges.
What does feel certain is that Manchester United’s interest has deeper roots than numerous anticipated, and Klopp’s once admiration only adds further conspiracy to an implicit transfer battle.
