Chelsea set to bid £20m for Moises Caicedo alternative

Chelsea are weighing up a move for USMNT captain Tyler Adams as they look to add experience and versatility to their ranks, with the Leeds United star having a £20m release clause in his contract following Leeds’ relegation from the top flight.

Adams only joined the Yorkshire side 12 months ago, but was a key figure under Jesse Marsch during the first half of the season before picking up a serious hamstring injury in March that ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign.

Signed for £34m, Leeds’ eventual relegation on the final day of the season courtesy of a defeat to Tottenham has seen the Yorkshire side set to make a massive loss on the 24-year-old this summer, after it emerged that he can leave for just £20m ahead of the new campaign.

That has alerted several clubs to a potential transfer, and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea are one of those sides with the Blues having seen a major midfield clearout so far this summer.

All of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante have left this summer, while Conor Gallagher is also thought to be surplus to requirements in west London.

Though they have made Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo their no.1 target, they are reluctant to meet Brighton’s £100m asking price and have already seen four bids rejected for the Ecuadorian, with Chelsea having since been outbid by a side from Saudi Arabia.

As a result, the Athletic report that the Blues are ‘considering the possibility’ of making a move for Adams, though they face competition from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, who unlike Chelsea can offer European football for the upcoming campaign.

It is possible that should a breakthrough be made in talks with Caicedo, both players could move to Stamford Bridge, with the situation not considered to be either/or.

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