United States men’s national team defensive midfielder and World Cup captain Tyler Adams could be headed to Aston Villa per the Daily Mail.
According to the British outlet, Villa are prepared to activate Adams’ $31.8 million release clause to bring him in.
Adams is still with Leeds United who were relegated to the EFL Championship last season. There’s a relegation release clause in the American’s contract that could allow him to avoid playing in the second tier of England.
Tyler Adams Aston Villa rumors
BREAKING: Aston Villa are reportedly set to trigger the £25 million ($31.8m) release clause in Tyler Adams' contract at Leeds amid rival interest from Chelsea.
Unai Emery continues to reshape his squad ahead of the 2023-24 season, which will see The Lions compete in Europe. pic.twitter.com/ghnUTUberA— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 2, 2023
Sources: USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has relegation release clause in his Leeds United contract.
Leeds paid £20m plus add-ons to sign him. Release clause believed to be in that region. Adams currently injured, complicating any potential move
w/ @PhilHay_https://t.co/4SyRfTkrY0— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 28, 2023
For those who don’t know, a relegation release clause is when a player has a set fee that other clubs can pay for said player if that player’s team gets relegated. This is done to protect players’ careers by not being contractually obligated to play in a lower league if they don’t want to and if a team wants to sign that player.
In Adams’ case, his relegation release clause was set somewhere around £25 million ($31.8 million). With Leeds getting relegated that is now the set price for any club that wants to sign him.
USMNT fans have been waiting to hear about transfer news involving Adams. Several Americans like Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and even Adams’ Leeds teammate Brenden Aaronson have found new clubs this summer.
Is it finally Adams’ turn?
Per Daily Mail, Aston Villa aren't the only Premier League club keeping an eye on Adams. Chelsea, Brighton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are all potential landing places for him.
One issue that has been in the way of a potential transfer is a severe hamstring injury he suffered back in March that required surgery. Adams missed the last two months of the 2022-23 season, all of the international summer action and could still be injured for the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.
Will one of the EPL clubs take a chance on him or will he remain with Leeds in the EFL Championship next season?
