Adeyemi criticised for 'disrespectful' reaction after substitution as United target looms
Sami Khedira condemns Dortmund winger's conduct; Kehl promises a fine as transfer speculation links Karim Adeyemi to Manchester United amid a reported £70 million release clause and his wife's influence.
Karim Adeyemi sparked criticism for his reaction after being substituted in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 Bundesliga win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday. The 23-year-old winger was hooked on the hour-mark by Dortmund manager Niko Kovac, and he walked toward the locker room as the substitution was made.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl stepped in to prevent him leaving, grabbing Adeyemi by the arm as the players on the bench tried to calm the moment. Kehl later said the substitution was partly justified, but the reaction was not acceptable. "You're not going to the locker room, sit down," he told Sky, adding that "Karim didn't have a good game" and that Adeyemi will be fined for the incident.
World Cup winner Sami Khedira, serving as a pundit for DAZN, labelled Adeyemi's actions 'disrespectful' to his teammates and to Kovac. "Going into the locker room early is somewhat disrespectful to your coach and, above all, to your teammates," Khedira said, per BILD.
Sky's Dietmar Hamann also criticised the incident, saying Adeyemi didn't play well and that leaving the dressing room at halftime of a key match makes little sense.
Adeyemi's immediate future at Dortmund has been shadowed by speculation about a move away, with his contract running until 2027 and Manchester United among teams reported to be monitoring his situation. United are said to be pushing for a release clause of around £70 million to facilitate a move, a strategy that could be tested by the player's willingness to enter talks on a new deal.
Further fueling rumours are reports that Adeyemi's wife, rapper Loredana, is keen on a relocation to a major European city. German outlet BILD cited claims that Loredana wants her husband to move to a European metropolis, fueling talk behind the scenes about his next club. Adeyemi and Loredana have been together since 2023 and wed in 2024.
Adeyemi's representation has also involved agent Jorge Mendes, a figure with strong links to Manchester United. Mendes has helped secure previous United moves, with the agent described as central to potential transfers involving the Dortmund winger and other players.
Dortmund's attacking lineup has been reshaped by investment in recent seasons, and while the club has signaled discipline, the incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Adeyemi's situation as transfer chatter persists ahead of the summer window.