Crucial decision on cards for 49ers at Leeds United as Tyler Adams transfer news emerges
Nottingham Forest have reportedly entered the race to sign Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams this summer, giving 49ers Enterprises a pivotal first order of business ahead of their takeover.
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises are closing in on a takeover agreement with the American-based group valuing the club at a total price of £170million.
Radrizzani is set to pass over full control to the American investors who already own a 44% stake of the club. Ahead of what is proving to be a testing summer for the club, keeping their prized asset could be the 49ers’ most significant decision.
The Daily Mail revealed on 5 June that Forest have held meetings about potential transfers this summer and the United States midfielder is understood to be on their wishlist ahead of another significant spend.
The 24-year-old is reported to be on his way out of West Yorkshire this summer as one of the most “high profile” departures at Elland Road and would cost around £30million, as reported by Bolavip.
Adams, 24, swiftly emerged as a crucial component for the Whites since his move from RB Leipzig last summer and is attracting Premier League interest with Arsenal and Newcastle United [Football.London, 4 May] also both interested in his services ahead of this summer’s window.
And according to 90Min, [30 May] Leeds United are resigned to losing both players following their relegation to the Championship.
The club were always bound to garner much interest from many of their key stars which has only been further compounded by relegation, which now gives the players a reason to depart.
Adams is a highly-valuable and very marketable player right now, which means Leeds United are set to attract the attention of plenty of European clubs for his signature.
However, should Adams be sold under the 49ers’ watch this summer, the environment around the club could certainly get pretty toxic well before they’ve even kicked off their permanent tenure at Elland Road, given the American international’s huge importance to the team.
The 24-year-old had swiftly become a fan favourite, establishing himself as one of the Whites’ best performers before his injury, already a very vocal and influential leader to a side possessing plenty of young talent.
Before his injury, he recorded the most tackles out of all Premier League players so far this season (89), the second-most tackles won (46) the most dribbles tackled (50) and also recorded the sixth-most blocks of any Premier League player according to FBRef, numbers which evidently rank him as the best-performing midfielder and player at Elland Road.
Leeds United certainly cannot afford to lose such a pivotal performer this summer, even despite their Championship plight. Replacing him will prove a tough job for the 49ers, and should he depart, the new manager will be left with a gaping hole in midfield, not to mention the potential anger of the Leeds United fanbase.
The 49ers must ensure they stamp their authority on key figures this summer, and Adams is one of them. They simply have to attempt everything in their power to keep him at the club, and with his contract still running until 2026, the Whites remain in a strong position regarding his future.
If the club are forced into a sale, £30m seems too little. Given his importance at Elland Road, Adams is easily a £40m-plus player and Leeds United certainly cannot entertain any offers lower than that figure.
He is their best hope of an immediate return to the Premier League promised land, and the 49ers may be in for some damaging repercussions if they blink so easily. This is quite simply one of their most crucial decisions this summer.
In other Leeds news, one first-team player is being targeted by a European club to replace a legendary ace.