Manchester United have failed in an attempt to hijack Borussia Dortmund’s move for striker Karim Adeyemi, according to reports.
The German forward has been heavily linked with a number of clubs after a breakthrough season with current side Red Bull Salzburg.
Adeyemi, 20, has scored 21 goals in 41 games across all competitions for the Austrian side so far this term, and now appears to be on his way to his native Germany, according to Patrick Berger.
The journalist claims that the striker will sign a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side in the coming days, but also reveals that the Red Devils failed in an attempt to hijack the deal.
The SPORT1 reporter says that the player rejected an offer in the region of £150,000-per-week from United, as he had always preferred the prospect of joining Dortmund.
The young striker will likely be a replacement for Erling Braut Haaland, who is expected to join Manchester City this summer if the English side meet the player’s release clause.
Adeyemi, however, will not have a release clause in his contract with Dortmund, meaning they won’t be forced to sell him.
Adeyemi looks set for a summer move to Germany
It is not known whether Adeyemi is a target for interim United boss Ralf Rangnick or his successor Erik ten Hag, who will take charge of the club from the end of the season.
Ten Hag is likely to oversee a large scale overhaul of United’s current squad this summer, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic all set to leave.
The Dutchman will reportedly be handed a substantial transfer budget to improve the club’s underperforming squad, with a view to competing for trophies once again next term.
Adeyemi has scored 25 goals in 65 games in the Austrian top flight so far, and also scored on his international debut for Germany, in a 6-0 win over Armenia last September.