Chelsea are preparing to activate Tyler Adams’s release clause at Leeds United but that doesn’t mean they are giving up on Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
The Blues are looking for at least one more new midfielder this summer after signing seven players and allowing 13 to leave.
Adams was one of Leeds United’s marquee signings during last summer’s window as he was signed from RB Leipzig for around £20m.
The USA international was one of Leeds United’s better players last term as he more than held his own in the Premier League.
Adams missed the final few months of last season through injury and he was sorely missed during the run-in as they suffered relegation from the Premier League on the last day of the campaign.
Adams is still injured at the moment but he is being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. Aston Villa and Nottm Forest are known to be in the running for the midfielder but Chelsea are the latest club to show interest.
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And now the Daily Mail claim that Chelsea are ‘ramping up their pursuit’ of Adams with the west Londoners ‘ready to activate the midfielder’s release clause’.
It is understood that Adams ‘isn’t keen on spending the season playing in the Championship’ and the Blues are ‘now willing to complete a deal by meeting the £20million relegation release clause included in his contract’.
Chelsea are ‘prepared to formalise a deal’ with Mauricio Pochettino hoping to bring the American in before their opening match against Liverpool next weekend.
Adams apparently favours a move to Stamford Bridge over other options such as Aston Villa and other Premier League clubs.
The potential signing of Adams won’t stop Chelsea in their pursuit of Brighton’s Caicedo despite having a recent £80m offer rejected by the Seagulls.
Chelsea are ‘refusing to give up in their pursuit’ of the Ecuador international and they are ‘keen to try and seal a deal before the transfer window closes’ despite Brighton’s £100m asking price.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sealed a switch to Chelsea on Sunday with the Spain international joining from Brighton in a deal worth around £25m.
Co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart issued a statement on the club’s official website, it read: “We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit.
“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead.”