The German club explained why on social media, confirming the forward had been excused from opening fitness testing while his move to Barcelona is finalised. Midfielder Kjell Wätjen, also in the process of negotiating an exit, was given the same dispensation.
"Karim Adeyemi and Kjell Wätjen are not taking part in today's performance tests. Both players are exempt in order to hold talks with other clubs," Borussia Dortmund said in a statement announcing the start of pre-season.
The framing was diplomatic, but the Adeyemi situation is already essentially resolved. Barcelona and Dortmund struck a verbal agreement on Friday for a deal worth €22m in guaranteed fees, with a further €7m in add-ons largely tied to Barcelona winning trophies during his time at the club.
What remains is administrative: the two clubs are finalising paperwork and exchanging documentation, with an official announcement expected within the week barring any last-minute complications. Adeyemi is then set to join Barcelona's pre-season immediately, which begins this Monday.
The move makes Adeyemi Barcelona's second signing of the 2026-27 campaign, following Anthony Gordon's arrival at the end of May, which itself came after Robert Lewandowski's departure for MLS side Chicago Fire. For head coach Hansi Flick, it also represents a reunion — Flick gave Adeyemi his senior Germany debut during his time in charge of the national team, and rates the 24-year-old's explosive pace and directness highly as he looks to add more speed to Barcelona's attack.
In four seasons at Dortmund, Adeyemi made 146 appearances, scoring 36 goals and providing 25 assists, form that has now earned him a five-year contract at Camp Nou worth a reported €6m net per season, with Dortmund retaining a 20% sell-on clause on any future transfer.
Adeyemi's exit had been accelerated by his refusal to extend a contract that was due to run until June 2027, leaving Dortmund with little leverage once it became clear he had no intention of signing fresh terms and had set his heart on Barcelona specifically.
With Adeyemi's arrival all but confirmed, attention at Camp Nou is already turning to a new centre-forward, with Julian Alvarez remaining the priority target as Flick looks to complete his attacking rebuild before the season begins.