On July 23, local time, The Athletic analyzed that Adeyemi joining Barcelona was a choice driven by multiple factors. With only one year left on his contract and the player unwilling to renew, Borussia Dortmund needed to sell him, while Barcelona saw his high potential at a low transfer fee. As Germany's former head coach, Flick had a basis of trust in Adeyemi, believing that his speed, breakthrough ability, and high-pressing characteristics met the team's tactical needs. Although his statistics and consistency were still lacking, he was expected to fill the void left by Rashford's departure and become an important addition to Barcelona's attacking system.

Here's TA's analysis:

Among the many available transfer targets for Barcelona this summer, Adeyemi did not seem to be the most obvious choice.

The Borussia Dortmund winger, with 11 caps for the German national team, has had four somewhat productive seasons since joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in Austria in July 2022, but has never fully lived up to the potential that was once expected of him.

The 24-year-old Adeyemi is an explosive player, adept at quick counter-attacks, but his 23 goals in 98 appearances in the German top flight are not enough to constitute absolute convincing evidence for him to join a top world club.

So, why did this transfer ultimately happen?

The background factors are very important.

Adeyemi's fixed transfer fee to Barcelona is 22 million Euros, with add-ons potentially increasing the total amount to over 30 million Euros based on the player's future performance. In addition, Borussia Dortmund also included a significant sell-on clause in the deal.

Borussia Dortmund had to sell Adeyemi this summer. He had only one year left on his contract, and he had long indicated his unwillingness to renew. In fact, he had actively sought a transfer for some time and had changed agents multiple times in hopes of pushing through the move.

Borussia Dortmund will miss Adeyemi. In a period when the team's talent reserves were not as abundant as in the past, he has consistently been one of Borussia Dortmund's most threatening attacking players, and also very well suited to coach Kovac's direct and efficient style of football.

However, as confirmed by CEO Carsten Cramer this week, Borussia Dortmund wants to replenish its squad with young players who have appreciation potential – the type of player the club has historically been best at developing.

Given Adeyemi's contract situation, which lowered his market value, and Borussia Dortmund's need to generate funds through player sales, this deal, even if not highly priced, was still a reasonable choice.

This gave Barcelona an opportunity. They learned through Adeyemi's latest agent, Mendes, that the player could be sold.

Mendes has a close relationship with Barcelona president Laporta and also represents several Barcelona players, including Yamal, Casado, and Balde. His influence clearly played an important role in this deal.

From a footballing perspective, Adeyemi will help Barcelona fill the void left by Rashford's departure.

Barcelona has decided not to make permanent Rashford's loan from Manchester United, even though the 28-year-old English forward contributed to 15 goals (8 goals, 7 assists) in 35 La Liga matches.

In contrast, Barcelona chose to sign Adeyemi, who is four years younger than Rashford, and whose salary may be more in line with the club's current financial situation.

Barcelona believes that Adeyemi can provide similar statistics to Rashford and play a similar role in the team.

Of course, this transfer largely depended on the approval of Barcelona coach Flick.

Adeyemi has never been a consistent member of the German national team.

In the past five years, he has only made 11 appearances for Germany. During this year's World Cup, he missed out on the squad due to injury, but even if healthy, there was doubt as to whether he would ultimately be selected. He never truly gained the full trust of Germany coach Nagelsmann.

But Flick trusts him.

The coach, who will be reunited with Adeyemi at Camp Nou, gave Adeyemi his national team debut in Germany's World Cup qualifier against Armenia in September 2021.

In that match, Adeyemi came on as a substitute and scored his only German national team goal to date, helping the team to a 6-0 victory.

Flick also included him in Germany's 2022 World Cup squad. Ultimately, Adeyemi did not get to play in the Qatar World Cup, sitting on the bench for all three of Germany's group stage matches and witnessing the team's group stage exit.

But there is a degree of trust between Flick and the player, as Flick clearly believed the winger could help the team. And he still does.

Although this deal was driven by many practical factors, it was ultimately completed with Flick's approval and promotion.

Flick and Adeyemi posed for a photo during Germany's Nations League match against Hungary in June 2022.

So, why not choose him? Adeyemi is precisely the type of dynamic attacking player who fits Flick's footballing philosophy.

He is extremely dangerous in one-on-one breakthroughs, possessing astonishing speed and a strong attacking desire.

Of course, his technical ability cannot compare to Yamal or Raphinha, but as a player who can challenge defenses and break game stalemates, he still has the potential to broaden Barcelona's attacking options and make the team's quick counter-attacks more dangerous when needed.

His off-the-ball performance is also an important factor for Barcelona's consideration.

When Adeyemi is focused, he is a very effective high-pressing player. In terms of defensive effort in the final third, he can be considered more active than Rashford.

Barcelona believes that this will help him adapt well to the team's high defensive line system.

Coincidentally, this is also one of the main strengths of another new signing, Anthony Gordon.

However, this is a transfer that must be understood within a specific context.

Adeyemi is fortunate because his opportunity to leave coincided with a period of financial constraints for Barcelona – although the club states that its financial situation is currently improving.

At the same time, he is also fortunate that his agent was able to help him find such a landing spot.

However, many transfers depend on whether a player can get the right opportunity at the right time and in the right place.

Adeyemi has been given his chance.

Now, he needs to seize it.

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