Karim Adeyemi tells Dortmund he wants Arsenal as Man Utd dealt transfer blow

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Manchester United are bracing themselves for disappointment in their bid to sign Karim Adeyemi. United have been keeping close tabs on the Borussia Dortmund forward, in the hope of luring him to Old Trafford.

Club bosses have sounded out Adeyemi's agent, Jorge Mendes, about the chances of striking a deal next summer. But United manager Ruben Amorim is preparing to turn his attentions elsewhere, in his attempts to land a new goalscorer.

Dortmund have slapped a £75m price-tag on the German international, which is more than what United were willing to pay.

And to make matters worse, Adeyemi has made it clear that if he leaves Dortmund ahead of next season, his preferred destination is Arsenal and not United.

Adeyemi, 23, is under contract until 2027, but talks with Dortmund over a new deal have stalled, and he is willing to find a new club in the summer.

Earlier this week, the forward issued a public apology after he was charged and fined €450,000 due to being in possession of two illegal weapons - a knuckleduster and a taser.

He issued a public statement on his Instagram to address the situation: "You have probably seen the headlines about me in the last few days. It is not easy for me to talk about this. At the beginning of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called ‘mystery box’ on the internet.

"It contained items that are not permitted under weapons legislation. Many months later, the package was delivered and ended up unopened at the police station.

"Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One that I am very sorry about, that cost me dearly and that I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and have a role model function. I did not live up to that.

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"That is precisely why it hurts me all the more that I acted so recklessly. I have learned more from this than I can put into words. And I promise you that I will avoid such mistakes in the future. Thank you to everyone who still trusts and supports me."

Dortmund manager Niko Kovac confirmed the player will receive no additional punishment from the club and would not stop him from being named in forthcoming squads. “It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks," Kovac explained.

"I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective. Everything has now been said about it. The focus is clearly on the Bundesliga. He will get our full support for that.”