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Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Karim Adeyemi could have been playing for Real Madrid instead of Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend after the forward was offered to Los Blancos during the summer.
Adeyemi joined Barcelona in July from Dortmund for an initial €22 million fee, having left the German giants after entering the final year of his contract and refusing to extend his deal.
The 24-year-old had been linked to many clubs but eventually joined his ‘dream club’ in Barcelona, with Real Madrid rejecting the chance to sign him and going for Yan Diomande instead.
“Karim Adeyemi was offered by Dortmund to Real Madrid at the beginning of the market as an opportunity because Adeyemi didn’t want to sign a new contract, so they were offering the player in order to find the best solution possible in Premier League or also to Real Madrid,” Romano told DAZN.
“Real decided against proceeding. They decided to go with a different kind of player and of strategy. Karim Adeyemi also wanted to go to Barcelona.
“Karim Adeyemi was pushing a lot to go to Barca, his dream club since he was a kid, and so Yan Diomande ended up at Real Madrid where he wanted to be. Adeyemi ended up at Barcelona where he wanted to be.”
Barcelona v Real Madrid: Adeyemi, Diomande and Gordon set for first La Liga El Clasico
Adeyemi has had a mixed start to life in Barcelona, with only six of his nine La Liga appearances coming from the bench, although he has recorded two goals and two assists so far.
Having been offered the forward on a cut-price deal, Barcelona moved for Adeyemi as a cost-effective replacement for Marcus Rashford, who returned to Manchester United after his loan spell despite a clause being available to sign him for €30m.
Barcelona were also interested in signing Diomande but the 19-year-old was deemed too expensive and Hansi Flick’s side eventually opted to move for Anthony Gordon instead.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW EL CLASICO EDITION ! 👀🔄
Fabrizio Romano reveals some behind-the-scenes details from this summer’s transfer market, including the sagas involving Yan Diomande and Karim Adeyemi! 🎙️⚽️
#daznbet #LaLiga https://t.co/IYJH7YG6zj
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) October 24, 2026
Diomande joined Real Madrid for €125m, with Adeyemi and Gordon signing for Barcelona for a combined fee of €102m, giving the Catalans a cheaper solution.
Adeyemi and Gordon will come up against Diomande when Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first league El Clasico of the season on Sunday.
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