This has been a frantic summer of activity for Leeds so far and as we now enter July, things aren’t slowing down at all.
What’s the word?
Kalvin Phillips underwent his medical with Manchester City on Friday and providing he does move to the Etihad as expected, a replacement will need to be sourced.
Marc Roca has already penned terms but in the words of journalist of Ben Jacobs, they are in the market for another midfielder and have been handed the green light to potentially sign Tyler Adams.
Jacobs revealed the news on Twitter, saying: “Tyler Adams really wants a loan move to Leeds. He’s already spoken to Jesse Marsch, who wants another midfielder despite landing Marc Roca.
“Leipzig open to a deal after Xaver Schlager’s arrival. Adams needs game time ahead of the World Cup. Everton and Sevilla also interested.”
The player is currently rated at just £15.3m via Transfermarkt.
Phillips heir
When the England international officially joins Man City, it will be a heartbreaking day for supporters as they see their beloved Yorkshire Pirlo head for pastures new.
Should Leeds move for Tyler Adams?
The sizeable £45m transfer fee will go down nicely and with that, they could build a much beefier and quality-filled side capable of staying well away from relegation and a place in the Championship.
The Whites came perilously close to the drop but under Jesse March and Victor Orta, some clever strategies look as though they’re being utilised in order to prevent that from happening again.
Roca’s addition will certainly bolster the side but the fact of the matter is Adams is someone they simply have to sign too.
Leeds lacked depth in the middle of the park as it is and this summer should not just be about adding more bodies but raising the quality in the squad.
The Leipzig man is extremely capable as a holding midfielder and boasts a number of impressive metrics that would make him the perfect heir to Phillips.
Per FB Ref, he ranks quite poorly in the offensive part of the game but his defensive skills are superb. He is in the best 11% in Europe’s top five leagues for successful pressures per 90 minutes (7.36), a stat that would make him perfect for Jesse Marsch’s side.
Meanwhile, he is in the top 1% for passes blocked (2.25) and the top 25% for ball recoveries (10.81).
Like Phillips, he is also extremely comfortable in possession, sitting in the top 20% for carries and the best 25% for progressive carries per 90.
With all that said, it’s clear that Adams offers a dynamic presence in the centre of the field, one that would certainly improve Leeds.
It’s important that Orta can now conclude a deal with the Yorkshire club set to lose one of their most influential players.
