Newcastle are monitoring Leeds United’s Tyler Adams ahead of a possible summer move, according to reports.
What’s the latest on Leeds United’s interest in Tyler Adams?
According to a new piece in The Times about players who could move on from relegation-threatened teams should they go down by Gary Jacob, Newcastle are among the sides vying for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Adams joined Leeds from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £20m last summer and has a deal that runs through to 2027.
If Leeds do go down this season they will find it hard to make a profit from Adams, despite his impressive performances, so unsurprisingly top-level clubs are circling.
Since arriving at Newcastle, PIF have resisted the temptation to splash out big money on superstar names and have instead opted to primarily target young players with the potential to grow with the project. Adams would fit that bill and strengthen manager Eddie Howe’s squad as they, in all likelihood, compete in the Champions League next season.
Why do Newcastle want Adams?
In a struggling Leeds team this season Adams has been a shining light, with his all-action performances showing a level of commitment and tenacity that, if matched by his teammates, would surely have driven the Whites away from trouble.
Compared to other midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, Adams ranks in the top 2% for blocks per 90 and top 3% for tackles per 90 – illustrating his combative nature in the middle of the park.
Compared to his Leeds teammates, Adams also has the highest percentage of dribblers tackled (64.9%) and the most interceptions and tackles combined (124) as per FBref.
However, his abilities are not limited to containing the opposition as shown by his impressive passing stats this season.
The £57k-per-week machine has completed the most passes (1108), the second most progressive passes (136) and the highest pass accuracy (82.5%) of any player to start more than nine matches in the Leeds team this season.
The American international also captained his country and the 2022 World Cup, averaging an impressive 6.84 WhoScored rating as his side reached the round of 16, and being described as “exceptionally bright” by England legend Gary Lineker for his maturity in answering questions on the political climate before the USA faced Iran.
Adams fits PIF’s transfer strategy described by George Caulkin and Chris Waugh in The Athletic as luring the best up-and-coming talent, who are 24 or under and can grow with the club, and now also has a season of Premier League football under his belt.
If Leeds are to go down, snapping him up would seem shrewd business.