Tyler Adams isn’t going to be joining Chelsea after all.
Widespread reports on Thursday said that Chelsea would be activating a $25.5 million clause in Adams’ contract to bring the U.S. men’s national team captain in from Leeds.
But the following day, Sky Sports News reported that the deal was off at the last minute, with other outlets subsequently confirming the news.
The 24-year-old had already traveled to London and completed a medical but by Friday afternoon, he was on his way back to Leeds.
The issue, it seems, stems from the seemingly never-ending saga of Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo, who has been involved in a tug-of-war between Chelsea and Liverpool for his signature.
Liverpool looked to have won the race, with manager Jurgen Klopp even confirming on Friday that an agreement between the two clubs had been reached for the Ecuador midfielder.
Typically if a manager is ready to publicly confirm that a deal has been struck, that’s just about the end of the story. But this soap opera appears to have a few more twists — and Adams looks like he’ll be collateral damage.
The Guardian said that even after Liverpool saw a $140 million offer accepted by Brighton, Chelsea was still trying to hijack the move at the last minute by bidding even more. That, in turn, has seen the Blues turn their focus away from Adams.
Where that leaves the USMNT captain now is unclear.
Adams has been subject to plenty of Premier League interest following Leeds’ relegation last season, and he still has almost three weeks to find a new club before the transfer window closes.
If Adams does find a transfer, he’ll join his new club not fully fit. Sidelined since March with a hamstring injury, Leeds head coach Daniel Farke said last month he didn’t expect the midfielder back until after the September international break.
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