Aston Villa ready to trigger £25m Tyler Adams release clause at Leeds United with Chelsea on transfer stand-by
Aston Villa are waiting for Tyler Adams to give them an answer about leaving Leeds United and Chelsea are also “waiting in the wings”, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported on its website Wednesday (2 August) that Unai Emerie’s side are willing to trigger the American midfielder’s £25million release clause amid extensive Premier League interest.
Chelsea, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Brighton have all made approaches to ask for information, with the Villans chief among them and now “waiting on an answer” from the 24-year-old on what his plans are for a next move.
The USMNT captain is still out injured as he recovers from the surgery that ended his involvement in last season, and isn’t expected to be available until after the first international break.
That comes after the 1 September deadline for the transfer window, making his and fellow injured teammate Jack Harrison’s exits complicated.
But with midfield remaining a key position of interest this summer there is no shortage of interest still in a key man that Paraag Marathe is trying to keep at Elland Road.
Stick or twist
Adams would be joining a crowded house if he headed to Villa Park, with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans already picked up by the Europa League qualifiers this summer to add to the likes of Douglas Luiz and French star Boubacar Kamara.
So whether he would see arriving into such heavy competition whilst trying to make up for lost time after months out of action as the right move has to up for debate.
With 17-year-old Archie Gray in line to make a first-team debut against Cardiff City in the opening game (6 August) it shows how important Adams would be if he stayed in West Yorkshire.
When fully fit he would likely back himself to gain a place in the Villa side but with no preseason and a number of competitive games in the books once he is available he may face a bench role for some time.
More worryingly, with Chelsea straining to prize Moises Caicedo from the Amex, there is a much clearer path to a starting role at Stamford Bridge, and Adams would be far cheaper than the £100m-rated Ecuadorian.
Even if the Blues are successful in that pursuit it would then increase the chances that Brighton make a push to sign the Leeds United stand-out.
Meanwhile, West Ham still need to replace Declan Rice so have a gaping hole of their own to fill, although they have so far proven incapable of signing anyone this summer.
So there are clearly threats to the Whites future of the former RB Leipzig player, who could be a key building block for Daniel Farke if he stays.
But the fact that he is apparently keeping Villa waiting might suggest a reluctance to move while he is still not fit, so there should be hopes yet that he could stay until January at least.
In other Leeds United news, it will now be “no surprise” if the manager makes a third signing just in time for the Cardiff clash.