Real Madrid had a very busy summer transfer window, bringing in a number of reinforcements to support Jose Mourinho’s new project at the club.
Los Blancos made many smart free-agent signings but also broke the bank to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Ahead of the season’s first El Clasico, it has now emerged that Madrid turned down an opportunity to sign Karim Adeyemi, instead pursuing a move for the Ivory Coast winger.
Adeyemi went on to sign for Barcelona, where he has made a good start to life at his new club.
According to Fabrizio Romano (h/t Madrid Zone), Borussia Dortmund offered the Germany international to Los Blancos as a potential market opportunity. However, Madrid did not make a move.
Real Madrid opted against signing Adeyemi
Adeyemi was approaching the final year of his Dortmund contract and had no intention of signing an extension.
The Bundesliga club were exploring multiple destinations, including Madrid, Barcelona and some Premier League clubs.
Real Madrid chose Yan Diomande over Karim Adeyemi back in the summer. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
However, Madrid’s recruitment strategy was focused on a different attacking profile, leading them to reject the opportunity.
Adeyemi eventually joined Barcelona, a club he had wanted to represent since childhood. Interestingly, Barcelona had also considered Diomande earlier this summer.
The Catalan club eventually signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United before signing Adeyemi.
Why Madrid preferred Diomande
Madrid ultimately committed €125 million plus €15 million in potential bonuses to secure Diomande, underlining their belief in his long-term potential.
The 19-year-old has already begun demonstrating why the club invested so heavily, particularly through his recent attacking contributions.
His explosive dribbling, acceleration and ability to beat defenders individually offer Mourinho a direct threat from wide areas.
Diomande is in line to start El Clasico later today, with Vinicius Junior currently serving a suspension.
Diomande is expected to start against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Adeyemi would have represented a considerably cheaper alternative, but the two players bring different qualities.
The German’s pace and versatility could have strengthened Madrid’s attacking depth. However, he does not have the same kind of ceiling as Diomande.
Ultimately, with both players securing the moves they wanted, this is nothing more than summer transfer window trivia.
It remains to be seen whether Adeyemi and Diomande come face-to-face in tonight’s Clasico and who goes on to have the bigger influence on the game.
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