Barcelona is looking for a new Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi, a 24-year-old winger, has become the epitome of the formula that the Barcelona transfer market can replicate to reinforce Hansi Flick's squad: identifying players with sporting potential and contracts nearing expiration. The German arrived from Borussia Dortmund for 22 million euros plus 7 in variables and signed until 2031, after refusing to renew with the German club.

Karim Adeyemi, the model Barcelona wants to emulate

Adeyemi's case meets two conditions that favored Barça. The forward's contract was until June 30, 2027, and he had not agreed to extend it, a situation that compelled Dortmund to consider a sale during the summer to prevent losing him for free a year later.

Barcelona seized that scenario and secured the signing for 22 million fixed plus 7 in variables, while Dortmund also retained a 20% share of any future profit from a sale. The deal enabled a reduction in cost compared to the initial demands of the German club, which had valued the player around 40 million.

The selection also responded to a sporting criterion. Adeyemi can perform on both flanks and as a forward, and Flick had already managed him with Germany, granting him his international debut. The coach's contract with Barça now extends until 2028, with an option to extend the relationship for another season.

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Barcelona monitors contracts that can lead to cheaper signings

The strategy does not imply that all players whose contracts end in 2027 or 2028 are Barcelona targets. The key is to combine this contractual situation with a profile that fits Flick's demands and a specific economic opportunity.

Other examples have already emerged in the market. Jesse Bisiwu, an 18-year-old winger, eventually arrived from Club Brugge for 8.5 million euros and signed until 2031. The Belgian's contract was expiring in 2027, enabling Barça to negotiate a deal below the amounts initially proposed by the Belgian club.

Another case identified during Barça's planning was Álex Remiro. The Real Sociedad goalkeeper's contract was until 2027, with a clause close to 10 million euros, prompting Barcelona to even consider waiting for his possible free-agent departure.

The same logic applies to players within the squad. Andreas Christensen recently signed a new contract with Barça until 2028, after his previous contract expired, accepting a 50% salary reduction.

The contract will be a decisive factor

Barça concluded the 2026 market with 174 million euros invested in transfers, highlighting the ongoing significance of economic margins. Deco and Flick have already shown that an operation can be expedited when there is a sporting need, player willingness, and a favorable contractual situation.

The next step will involve identifying players during the season who are fitting and entering their final year of contract. The precedent set by Karim Adeyemi provides a specific benchmark: Barcelona may try to advance deals before 2027 or 2028 to negotiate transfers before the market inflates the costs of such profiles significantly.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Barcelona busca a un nuevo Adeyemi