KARIM OF THE CROP
MANCHESTER UNITED'S pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg hotshot Karim Adeyemi is as good as over.
The 20-year-old is set to join German outfit Borussia Dortmund this summer.
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United had tried to hijack Adeyemi's transfer to the Bundesliga side.
But Adeyemi's agent Thomas Solomon has confirmed a switch to Dortmund is "close" to completion, as revealed by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Solomon said: "We’re now close to complete the deal with Borussia Dortmund.
"There will be no release clause included into his five-year deal."
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Adeyemi signed for RB Salzburg in 2018 while Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick was director of football for RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig.
And Solomon confirmed Rangnick had been keen on bringing Adeyemi to Old Trafford.
Adeyemi though snubbed a mega-money move to United in favour of joining Dortmund.
The agent continued: "Rangnick? Yes, Manchester United wanted to enter the race - but we want Dortmund."
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German outlet Sport 1 report the forward turned down a contract worth £150,00-a-week with United.
Adeyemi was reportedly unfazed by United’s contract offer, as he believes he has a better chance of developing into a top star at Dortmund.
The youngster could possibly be a direct replacement for Erling Haaland, who is set to be announced as a Manchester City player this week.
Adeyemi has scored 19 goals in 27 league games this season, helping fire RB Salzburg to the Austrian title.
His form also earned him a maiden call-up to the German national side earlier this campaign.