Report: Karim Adeyemi never contemplated leaving a Borussia Dortmund for Juventus

Speculation surrounding Borussia Dortmund’s incoming and outgoing players is at an all-time high right now, with the club very much in the middle of what has been a busy transfer window. The club is set to see a few more new faces join and old faces depart, with the club’s vision for what the squad will look like come the start of the season still taking shape.

Karim Adeyemi has been one of the players rumored to be on the way out, with Serie A giants Juventus having been reported as the most likely destination. Reports even suggested that the German attacker had held meetings with representatives of the club and even agreed contract terms.

Adeyemi quashed those rumors for good in recent days, per an interview with SportBild, stating that he never had plans of leaving the club in the first place:

"My focus is only on BVB, and it was like that even before these rumors came up. It has always been clear to me that I want to play for BVB. I consciously chose Dortmund two years ago, and this mission is not yet complete. I am optimistic that we can have a really good season. In the past two years, we have narrowly missed out on a title twice, and this year we finally want to win a title."

- Karim Adeyemi

Dortmund has indeed been close to winning the league in recent years as well as the UEFA Champions League just a couple of months ago. Adeyemi had a very stop-start season last campaign, but he is very clearly still optimistic that he and the club can finally bring home some silverware in the coming season. To Adeyemi, playing for Dortmund has been a source of comfort, and he still feels he has the support to help make a difference in terms of said challenge for silverware.

"For me, leaving was never a topic this summer. My thoughts were pretty clear after the Champions League final because I feel very comfortable at BVB and still feel the trust of the fans, the coach, the club management, and my teammates. I just love being here and playing in this amazing stadium and atmosphere."

- Karim Adeyemi

As for the aforementioned inconsistencies, Adeyemi had vowed to make it impossible for new head coach Nuri Şahin to look past him in the selection process:

"I want to step on the gas in every training, prove myself and show the coach that I deserve a regular place in order to bring more consistency into my game. I know that I don't get anything for free, but I have to earn my stakes even more professionally. I'll show Nuri that he can't get past me."

- Karim Adeyemi

The first step to making sure Adeyemi gains a level of consistency in performance is acknowledging that there was one to begin with, which is admirable from the player’s end and deserves commending. Last season was marred by superfluous media criticism of the player’s relationship with his current partner, German hip-hop star Loredana, as well as consistent injury issues that broke the player's season into two halves, stifling any momentum from being able to develop.

It’s been no secret so far that it seems like Şahin will be depending on Adeyemi this season. It will be a “make or break” season as a whole when it comes to the player's career at Dortmund, so it’s very encouraging to see the player taking it seriously in the buildup to the start of competitive matches. There is a talented player there surely, but it will be up to Adeyemi to work towards making the necessary changes to add a more consistent and clinical nature to his game so that he can retain the starting role he craves with the club.