Tyler Adams hailed as 'bright light' amid Aston Villa transfer replacement speculation
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Leeds United standout Tyler Adams would "make sense" as an Aston Villa target and could be a good replacement for the reportedly outgoing Leander Dendoncker due to his positional versatility, according to Dan Bardell.
Adams has been linked with a move to Villa Park [The Athletic] following Leeds' relegation to the Championship, with Villa potentially able to utilise a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave on loan [Daily Mail].
The USMNT star was a rare bright spot in Leeds' otherwise dismal season despite missing the last stretch of the season through injury, but his ability to play as a central defensive midfielder and a right-back could appeal to Emery who likes versatile players.
Bardell claims Adams would be a good fit for the Villa squad on this basis, adding that his marketability could also appeal to the West Midlands side.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News about why Villa may come in for him, Bardell said: “Probably on the basis that Adams can cover right-back as well. I think Emery puts a lot of credence on players that can play in multiple positions and that are fluid.
“It’s helpful with the way Emery lines up. You don’t have too many players, but every position is covered. So having someone like Tyler Adams who can fill in in central-midfield but can also play as some kind of inverted right-back if Emery wanted to go that way.
“Villa have looked to buy players from specific countries for marketing purposes. If you’re bringing in the USMNT captain, there’s going to be interest from America in your team.
"He was probably one of the only bright lights for Leeds last season, they had an absolute shocker of a season. But he came out of it with his head held high. The injury concerns me, and Leeds might have had a better chance of staying up had he not been injured.
“It’s a move that makes sense, but then is he going to come somewhere where he knows he’s probably not going to get into the best 11?
“Villa could sell Dendoncker for £15million maybe, and bring Adams in for £20million and it’s decent business, I’d say."