By George Overhill

2nd Jun, 2023 | 6:10pm

Leeds United transfer news: Tyler Adams set to leave in 'professional suicide' verdict amid Newcastle and Tottenham interest

Tyler Adams seems certain to leave Leeds United as it would be “professional suicide” for him to be playing in the Championship says Adam Pope.

The Whites “desperately” want to keep hold of the USMNT captain whose injury absence towards the end of the season was a major blow on the way to relegation, according to Phil Hay in The Athletic (1 June), despite Premier League interest.

But BBC journalist Pope thinks it is highly unlikely that the club will be successful in that aim as he will need to be playing at the “highest level”, and according to 90min on 30 May he may be an option for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle.

Pope said on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet (1 June, 27m 40s): “It’s professional suicide if he stays in the Championship I think for him…

“These players have got 50-60% reductions in their wages? Liam Cooper talks about having let down his family as well. Now in that sense you could say financially, ‘we haven’t quite got the life we thought we might have’.

“Tyler Adams is surely going to be in the same boat. I know he’s younger… He seems a great guy, really good values and stuff, but… he’s got to be playing at the highest level.

“He’s one of the best players at the club. Genuinely, are we seriously thinking he’s going to stay at Leeds United? It does not make sense, really, because the club’s going to need to sell some players as well.”

Tricky

If there was no market for his services Adams seems like the sort of player who would be ready to spearhead a promotion bid in the Championship.

But as the captain of his country it is clearly preferable for him to be operating in the top flight of one of the big five leagues if there are offers for him to do so.

If the likes of the aforementioned Premier League sides come in then it would be no surprise for him to want to go, despite his status as a favourite at Elland Road.

The reality is that it will be difficult for Leeds United to hold onto any players who are wanted by top sides in England or in Europe.

Those who have options below the elite and who can be convinced that a swift return to the Premier League is on the cards may remain, while veterans with little market are sure to be part of the revamped squad.

Losing Adams, who was one of the success stories of what proved to be a misguided attempt to back Jesse Marsch in the transfer market, would be disappointing this summer, but perhaps not surprising.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites are thought to be able to keep hold of two other senior figures for the coming season.