Aston Villa are reportedly keen to sign midfielder Tyler Adams from Leeds United as they prepare for a season back in European football.
The Villans enjoyed an extraordinary resurgence after Unai Emery took the helm. The Spaniard replaced Steven Gerrard on November 1 last year with the West Midlanders languishing at the wrong end of the table. He guided them to seventh in the standings, with 18 wins and seven draws seeing them just one point behind Brighton.
It means that the former Arsenal chief will have to contend with life in the Europa Conference League in 2023-2024.
Understandably, he is looking to strengthen during the off-season and Adams appears to be on the radar.
The 20-year-old joined the Whites last summer in a deal worth around £20m. He had excelled over three-and-a-half seasons with RB Leipzig.
And former Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch opted to bring him to Elland Road.
Marsch was sacked in early February as the Leeds hierarchy looked for a way to arrest their decline.
It failed to have any effect as they slipped into the Championship on the final day of the campaign.
And it seems as though USA star Adams may now follow his compatriot out of the West Yorkshire outfit
The former New York Red Bulls ace was one of Leeds best players last term, playing every minute of the 24 top-flight games in which he featured.
However, injury struck in March and the man with 36 USA caps was not seen again during the run-in.
He has not featured for his nation over the summer but is said to be on track to return for pre-season training.
Villa target Adams as second signing
Aston Villa have already begun preparing for next season. Leicester City’s demotion to the English second tier meant it was always likely their best
The former New York Red Bulls ace was one of Leeds best players last term, playing every minute of the 24 top-flight games in which he featured.
However, injury struck in March and the man with 36 USA caps was not seen again during the run-in.
He has not featured for his nation over the summer but is said to be on track to return for pre-season training.
Villa target Adams as second signing
Aston Villa have already begun preparing for next season. Leicester City’s demotion to the English second tier meant it was always likely their best
And Villa wasted little time in getting Yuri Tielemans on board. The 26-year-old has agreed to move to Villa Park once his Foxes contract expires on July 1.
The Belgium international is expected to be joined by further high-quality additions.
And it may be that they turn to Leeds for another player as Crysencio Summerville has been linked.
The Netherlands Under-21 star is under contract until the summer of 2026.
But, with Leeds having dropped out of the Premier League, he is vulnerable to a move.
Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord have all been linked but Villa have also been mentioned in connection with the youngster.
He bagged four goals from 28 league outings last season but has reportedly told the club he does not want to play in the Championship.
Landing the Leeds duo would be a coup for Emery as he looks to keep up the momentum from an excellent campaign.
There is still some way to go before either player arrives at Villa Park as other clubs are also keen.
Nottingham Forest are said to be interested in Adams while Manchester United and Liverpool are also thought to be keen.
He is valued at around the £40m mark, a fee that would not frighten either of the Premier League giants.
Whether he would be a regular starter at those two clubs is open to debate.
Therefore a move to Villa might appeal where he would have the opportunity to grow as a player under Emery.
