Leeds United transfer exit kick-starts the August effect always likely to hit Farke’s squad hard
Tyler Adams is on the verge of concluding Leeds United transfer to Chelsea hot on the heels of dramatic day involving Max Aarons and Wilfried Gnonto
August was always going to be the month Leeds United’s Championship status hit home. Not only are they visiting Ipswich Town (formerly of League One), but the cash-rich vultures are finally swooping to pick the bones of their relegation wreckage.
Tyler Adams is completing the final stages of a transfer to Chelsea. The USA captain has a relegation release clause in the region of £20m and Mauricio Pochettino’s side triggered it earlier this week.
While Adams, one of the few players to emerge from last season with any credit, was always seen as one of those likely to receive interest after relegation, the impact of his exit is no less diminished. The 24-year-old is understood to have behaved impeccably and trained as fully as possible throughout this summer while recovering from his hamstring issues.
As more and more of the summer went by, there was always that hope he may just stick around or transfer interest may be put off by his extended hamstring lay-off. Alas, Chelsea are paying the money and taking the matter out of United’s hands.
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The departure further weakens an area of Daniel Farke’s squad, which is currently propped up by a quintet with an average age of 20 years old. The midfield needs attention and Leeds will look to address it alongside central defence and a striker
Yesterday’s situations with Max Aarons and Wilfried Gnonto were another example of August in the second tier. Aarons essentially turned down the head coach responsible for the formative years of his career in favour of top-flight football and money at relegation candidates Bournemouth
The Whites are understood to remain steadfast in their desire to retain the player in this transfer window. Gnonto is under contract and does not have a release clause suitors can trigger, leaving Leeds holding the cards.
If Leeds hope to retain any hope of Gnonto having a future at Elland Road, this absence from the first team will need to be resolved before all of the teenager’s bridges are burned with the fan base. Yet again, this is another by-product of a transfer window ticking towards its final three weeks of business and a full international with one eye on Euro 2024 facing the possibility of Championship football.
