Report: Arsenal set to battle Man United in the race to sign 23-year-old forward | OneFootball

Arsenal Move First in Adeyemi Race

Arsenal have intensified their push for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, and the pursuit has rapidly developed into a January battle with Manchester United. Sources quoted by TeamTalk confirm that Arsenal have opened communication with Jorge Mendes, and the club sees a major opportunity to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s attacking options at a crucial moment in the season.

Adeyemi Fits Arsenal’s Front Line Vision

Arteta has long targeted a dynamic right sided attacker who can bring direct running, elite pace and high energy pressing. Adeyemi, who has hit a top speed of 36.6 km/h, appears to fit that profile perfectly. His combination of quick transitions and 1 v 1 ability suit Arsenal’s tactical model, which relies heavily on rapid wide play and sharp counterpressing.

The original report notes that Adeyemi has “three goals and three assists in 14 appearances” and that his “zero contributions since September underscore his unrest”. That decline in output is understood to stem from frustration under Niko Kovac, highlighted by the widely discussed bottle throwing incident after his substitution against Koln. One source close to the negotiations told TeamTalk that “Adeyemi wants clarity about his role and his long term future, and right now he does not feel he has that”.

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A figure close to Arsenal’s recruitment team suggested that “Adeyemi’s ceiling is enormous, and the chance to work with Arteta appeals to him because of the development of players like Saka and Martinelli”.

Arsenal Hold Key Advantages Over Manchester United

Manchester United retain interest and have also contacted Mendes, with Ruben Amorim regarding Adeyemi as an ideal wide option for his 3-4-3 system. Their strong relationship with Mendes after signing Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte is mentioned in the TeamTalk article as a potential advantage. However, Arsenal can offer something United cannot guarantee: immediate minutes in a settled project with clear identity.

Adeyemi’s camp has signalled preference for London over Manchester, and that may prove decisive. Barcelona and Chelsea remain in the background, but January appears to be the window that will determine his next step.

Dortmund’s Decision Point Approaches

TeamTalk report that Dortmund want €70m for a January sale, as extension talks have stalled due to the player’s push for an €80m clause. One source at Dortmund told the outlet that “no player gets to dictate their release terms, and no one leaves cheaply in winter”. Yet the club must decide whether to secure a significant fee now or risk a reduced €60m exit in the summer.

For Arsenal, securing Adeyemi would be a statement of intent, adding explosive depth to a frontline that could overwhelm Premier League defences as the season intensifies.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this emerging story brings excitement and a hint of worry. Adeyemi has the raw qualities fans admire in wide players, the pace, the power, the directness. Many will remember how electric he looked during Dortmund’s Champions League runs, and the idea of him lining up alongside Saka or Martinelli is genuinely thrilling. Arsenal fans want more goals from wide areas and another outlet to reduce the physical load on Saka, and Adeyemi seems perfectly suited to that need.

However, there are concerns. His dip in form at Dortmund and the visible frustration shown in the Koln episode might raise questions about temperament. Supporters will hope this is simply a young player reacting to a difficult environment rather than a recurring theme. Spending €70m is significant, and fans will expect reliability as well as excitement.

There is also anxiety about Manchester United’s involvement. Even if Arsenal appear to hold the upper hand, supporters have seen transfer swings before and will want swift action from the club. Arteta and Edu have built trust with their recruitment work, but competition from United, along with interest from Barcelona and Chelsea, adds pressure to get this over the line early.

For many Arsenal fans, the thought of adding another high ceiling attacker feels like the next step in competing seriously for silverware. Adeyemi looks like a player who could explode in the right environment. Yet supporters will watch closely to see if Arsenal turn interest into commitment, especially with crucial Premier League fixtures looming.