Karim Adeyemi, the new striker for Borussia Dortmund, joked that he does not want to face Sadio Mane, who is linked with Bayern Munich, in the Bundesliga next season.
After a meteoric rise to prominence at Red Bull Salzburg, the teenage striking sensation has joined Dortmund as an indirect replacement for Erling Haaland, signing a long-term contract at Signal Iduna Park.
Mane began his professional career with the Austrian giants before moving on to Southampton and then Liverpool, where he has established himself as one of the best forwards in the world in recent years.
Mane’s time at Anfield appears to be coming to an end, and according to reports, his representatives have confirmed that he is not interested in re-signing when his current contract expires next summer.
Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions, have been alerted to the possibility of Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry leaving the club.
But, speaking to Sky Germany while on international duty, Adeyemi admits that he doesn’t want to play against Mane for Dortmund because of his talent.
“For me, he is one of the best wingers in the world,” he said. “I prefer to see him on the outside than in the centre. He would be an asset to the Bundesliga. Unfortunately with the wrong club!”
Adeyemi, who is 20 years old, explained why he chose Dortmund over a number of other clubs: “The club has a fast and aggressive style of play. That totally got me. Hopefully I can do something with my speed.”
If Mane does join Bayern Munich this summer, Gnabry has been mentioned as a potential replacement on Merseyside, though the Reds are also interested in Benfica’s prolific Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez.
