Midfielder Tyler Adams has joined Premier League side AFC Bournemouth from Leeds United for an initial fee of £23m.
Adams’ move will come as no surprise to Leeds fans following reports that he was set for a medical with Andoni Iraola’s side which emerged earlier this week. Still, given that Leeds’ owners 49ers Enterprises repeatedly stated their desire to retain the services of the 24-year-old – as well as defender Max Wober and winger Jack Harrison who have both already left Elland Road this summer – his move will slightly dampen the West Yorkshire side’s promotion hopes.
Current USMNT captain Adams joined the Whites last summer from Red Bull Leipzig for an approximate fee of £20m, and quickly established himself as a fan favourite at Elland Road through his no-nonsense style in the defensive midfield role.
Bournemouth’s interest in signing Adams initially surfaced earlier this week, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming that the south coast club had triggered the midfielder’s relegation release clause, a fee which was reported to be in the region of £20m.
Contrasting claims then emerged from Leeds claiming that by the time Bournemouth triggered the release clause in Adams’ contract it had expired, an assertion which the Cherries denied.
Negotiations seemed to continue despite this apparent impasse, and now Bournemouth boss Iraola has his man.
A brief Leeds statement confirming the move read that Adams joins the Cherries for an “undisclosed fee”.
Whilst summer arrival Ethan Ampadu as well as youngsters Archie Gray and Darko Gyabi are three players available to fill the space left by Adams, there is no doubt that his departure leaves a hole in the Whites midfield.
Yet, with recent links to Norwich City’s Kenny McLean – a player who was part of Daniel Farke’s league-winning squad with the Canaries in both 2019 and 2021 – Leeds appear to already be in search of a replacement for the American.
Confirmation of Adams’ departure comes after Leeds came from behind to secure a point in a 1-1 draw with West Brom on Friday evening, with Farke’s side set to take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town next weekend.
