Bayern Munich bosses tight-lipped over growing speculation they’ll sign Karim Adeyemi

Despite what’s publicly and diplomatically said by Bayern Munich’s front office, it is clear that there is genuine interest in trying to sign Karim Adeyemi from RB Salzburg. Earlier this month, Adeyemi’s agent, Thomas Solomon had travelled to Munich and visited Sabener Strasse, presumably to discuss a potential move of his client to Bayern. Adeyemi’s father was also present.

Ahead of Bayern’s 4-0 win over SL Benfica in the Champions League, Hasan Salihamidzic was asked about Adeyemi and the potential transfer. When he was asked about the situation, Brazzo nervously replied, “I can’t say anything about it. I don’t always repeat names and comment on them. That’s not fair to the other teams. Especially not if there is nothing to it”. (Sport1)

Adeyemi has quickly become one of Europe’s most sought after young talents after two successful seasons with the reigning Austrian Bundesliga champions. He’s coming off of an impressive 2020/2021 season where he scored nine goals and provided 11 assists en route to Salzburg collecting the domestic double in Jesse Marsch’s last season in charge of the club. He also recently marked his senior German national team debut with a goal in the 6-0 World Cup qualifying win back in the September international break and he provided an assist to Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala in the most recent 4-0 win over North Macedonia. It’s no secret that Borussia Dortmund are also interested in signing him, either.

As far as potentially having to choose between Dortmund or Bayern, there are a lot of moving parts. Per Sport1’s “Meine Bayern-Woche” podcast, it’s likely that Haaland will leave Dortmund by 2022, and the same can’t necessarily be said for Robert Lewandowski at Bayern. For the Polish ace, a contract extension could be in the cards. However, Kingsley Coman’s future at the club is in question, and if he winds up leaving, that would theoretically open up a wing spot for Adeyemi.

“Bayern particularly appreciate Adeyemi’s tactical flexibility, you don’t just see him in the center of the storm. Should Coman be sold in 2022, Adeyemi would have a free place on the outside lane in the new season. Julian Nagelsmann believes he has a lot in this position, Adeyemi could move into the middle from there. If Coman stays or even extends beyond 2023, the chances of regular match practice in the Bayern squad are slim,” Florian Plettenberg said in “Meine Bayern-Woche.”

Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images

There are pros and cons for Adeyemi with either Bayern or Dortmund. While Bayern’s front office is remaining increasingly tight-lipped over the situation, Sport1 reporter Patrick Berger feels that Dortmund is in pole position to get Adeyemi.

“BVB has it on the slip, there have already been intensive discussions in which concrete figures have already been discussed. The Dortmund bosses do not see him as Haaland’s successor, because they also know that he can dangerously over the wings at his speed. He is similar to Jadon Sancho. In my opinion, Dortmund is in pole position because Borussia can guarantee him a lot of the game,” he said.

Regardless of whether Adeyemi’s final destination winds up being Bayern or Dortmund, Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle is well aware that his star talent will more than likely be leaving. He understands the business model at the club of selling younger players at high prices to keep help keep the club sustainable. Salzburg insider Christopher Michel recently asked Jaissle about Adeyemi. “When I asked Jaissle about Adeyemi’s future, he had to smile. He still has hope of his whereabouts, because he really enjoys working with him. But Jaissle also knows how the business works. In Salzburg, young players are trained and sold at high prices. It is not yet clear where Adeyemi will move to. Only that it will go at the right price,” Michel said.