The race to sign US captain Tyler Adams is ramping up on the eve of the new Premier League season with two new suitors joining Chelsea in the fight for his signature.
The midfielder arrived at Leeds United to significant fanfare last summer and was a standout performer for the Yorkshire club during an otherwise dismal campaign. The Whites were eventually relegated as Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce were unable to beat the drop following the sacking of Jesse Marsch in February.
The 36-time USMNT international played 24 times in the Premier League for the doomed outfit, with an unfortunate hamstring injury 12 games from the end of the campaign curtailing his season early. Since then, the former RB Leipzig prospect has been linked with a host of top-flight clubs, with his performances last term having caught the eye of several rival clubs.
The American star has emerged as a target for free-spending Chelsea, as per the Athletic, with new head coach Mauricio Pochettino looking to bolster his squad following the Blues' disappointing 12th-place finish last season. The American seems closer to signing for Chelsea than any other hypothetical destination after Todd Boehly triggered his release clause - thought to be in the region of £20 million, as per Sky Sports News.
A medical will now ensue as the player heads towards a solution to the saga surrounding his future at Elland Road. The former New York Red Bulls trainee could prove to be an astute buy for the Stamford Bridge club, given his top-flight experience in two of Europe's leading leagues.
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Although the West London side are heavily interested in Brighton's Moises Caicedo, it is not thought that Adams is viewed as a potential alternative. The Seagulls have played hardball over the Ecuadorian midfielder, with a bid of £80million bid having been rejected last month.
The two-time European champions seem to be in front of the queue in terms of this signing, which will come as a blow to Aston Villa, who have also monitoring his availability. The Midlands club are preparing for a Europa Conference League campaign under Unai Emery this season and would have been able to offer the American continental football.
On top of the interest from the Villains, Manchester United have been mentioned previously as admirers of Leeds United's prized asset, as per the Daily Mail. The Red Devils are hoping to move on outcasts Donny van de Beek and Fred before the end of the window and Adams is among the names Erik ten Hag has mooted as a potential reinforcement.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to sign a central midfielder this summer (Getty Images)As it stands, Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina and Amadou Onana of Everton have been mentioned as potential options to fill the void for the 20-time Premier League victors. However, it is clear that they will need to move on some deadwood before bringing in any potential new faces.
Adams did not play Leeds' first game of the Championship season versus Cardiff City due to a recurrence of the hamstring issue which ruled him out of action towards the backend of last term. Manager Daniel Farke confirmed that he his fitness is still being monitored at this stage, saying: "It’s a bit too early to judge when [Tyler Adams] will be back. I expect to perhaps be back after the first international break.
An exodus of stars was expected after Leeds' demotion to the EFL Championship was confirmed on the final day of the last season, as the club prepared for life in the second tier. Among those to have departed Elland Road already are Rodrigo Moreno, Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, with the latter two names having left the club on loan.
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