Leeds United “expect” to lose Tyler Adams “by the end of the month” after Chelsea got in contact with the American over a deal, according to 90min.
The outlet reported on their website on Monday 7 August that the Blues have broken away from a crowd of Premier League suitors for Adams, 24, who is currently still recovering from hamstring surgery from last season, with a host of big names still monitoring his situation.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Brighton and Brentford are all named as clubs who retain interest in the American after Chelsea “enquired over availability” at Leeds United, where he is thought to have a release clause as high as £25million.
Sky Sports reported earlier on Monday that talks had been opened with Chelsea, who are “deciding” whether to pay his release clause, which Sky suggest is closer to £20m, or attempt to agree a “structured” deal with the Whites.
But a move does appear to be on the cards with Phil Hay of The Athletic reporting earlier the same day that it was now “increasingly likely” to happen.
Lost cause
If there had been some doubts over Adams’ injury situation the Whites may have been able to sneak past deadline day with the USMNT captain out of sight and out of mind in the transfer market.
He isn’t due to be fully fit until the first international break around a week after the window shuts, but any hopes of that being a saving grace at Elland Road now look to have been dashed.
Chelsea’s frustrations in pursuing Moises Caicedo from Brighton have surely influenced their late arrival at the front of the queue for Adams, although they are expected to keep pushing for the Ecuadorian as well.
And even if Mauricio Pochettino’s side were to fall away, if there further Premier League giants still eyeing a move, with Champions League football on offer at Old Trafford plus Europa League at Anfield and the Amex, it would be a miraculous escape now for Daniel Farke to get to 2 September with Adams in place.
One small mercy is the fact that his relegation release clause is for decent money, after a series of low-cost loan departures, so should allow the manager to spend before the deadline if this deal is done soon.
Marc Roca, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Diego Llorente, Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen have all gone in this way, with only a small fee brought in with Rodrigo’s permanent sale.
And with Ethan Ampadu otherwise the senior central midfielder at 22, ahead of teenagers Archie Gray and Darko Gyabi, Farke is surely going to need to put some of that cash towards a direct replacement.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are “very keen” on a proven Championship option to fill that very gap, but he won’t come cheap.
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