Why Karim Adeyemi Rejected Napoli: The Inside Story

Napoli’s pursuit of a top-class replacement for Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, following his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), led them to Borussia Dortmund’s Nigerian-German winger, Karim Adeyemi. The Italian club tabled a €50 million bid, significantly higher than the €30 million Dortmund paid RB Salzburg in 2022.

While Dortmund were reportedly open to negotiations, Adeyemi ultimately turned down the move—despite the prospect of a €6 million annual salary in Naples. Soccernet.ng has now uncovered the key reasons behind his decision.

In December 2024, Adeyemi secretly married Swiss-Albanian rapper Loredana Zefi, becoming a stepfather to her six-year-old daughter. His wife, who values stability, was reluctant to relocate to Naples, preferring to remain in Germany. Family considerations played a crucial role in his rejection of Napoli’s offer.

Borussia Dortmund will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer—an elite tournament that Napoli failed to qualify for. For Adeyemi, this presents a unique platform to showcase his talent on a global stage, potentially boosting his chances of securing a spot in the German national team. Rather than taking time off, he saw this as an opportunity to shine.

A major stumbling block in negotiations was Napoli’s refusal to include an exit clause in Adeyemi’s contract. The player’s camp insisted on a release clause that would allow him to leave if bigger clubs came calling, but Napoli flatly rejected this demand. This raised concerns about future flexibility, as several players, including Kalidou Koulibaly and Victor Osimhen, had faced similar contractual challenges at the club.

The way Napoli handled Victor Osimhen—despite his crucial role in delivering their first Serie A title in 33 years—did not go unnoticed. Adeyemi’s camp reportedly consulted someone close to Osimhen’s family, who confirmed their concerns about how Napoli treats key players, particularly African stars. Adeyemi feared he could face similar career instability and disrespect if he joined the club.

As the saying goes, "A dry morsel of swallow with contentment is better than promised riches." Rather than risk an uncertain future, Adeyemi chose to stay in Germany, where he remains a key player for Borussia Dortmund—with family stability, international exposure, and career security at the forefront of his decision.