‘Deal done’ - Fabrizio Romano confirms latest Chelsea signing as ‘agreement reached’ for midfielder

Chelsea have activated a £20m release clause for Leeds United midfielder and United States captain Tyler Adams, according to reports.

The 24-year-old joined Leeds last summer and was a stand-out player as the club were relegated from the Premier League. He missed the final 12 games of the league campaign through injury in what proved a blow to the Whites’ survival hopes.

Fabrizio Romano reports Chelsea have agreed to pay a relegation clause of £20m and that an agreement has been reached over personal terms as Adams prepares for this medical with the London club.

Adams was at Elland Road on Sunday as Leeds opened their Championship campaign with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Cardiff City. He did not feature due to his injury which has kept him out of action since March.

He started his career with New York Red Bulls before making the move to RB Leipzig in 2019, He joined Leeds for £20m last summer and has been capped 36 times by the USA.

The pending capture of Adams comes after Chelsea made a £48m bid for Roméo Lavia on Wednesday night as they now face a battle for Moisés Caicedo after a sensational bid from Liverpool for the Brighton midfielder on Thursday.

The Telegraph reports the Reds have made an offer for Caicedo which is worth more than Chelsea’s last £80m bid. Brighton are reported to want £100m for the midfielder after seeing Declan Rice join Arsenal for £105m.

Liverpool and Brighton have already conducted business this summer after agreeing a £35m deal for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister while James Milner moved to the south coast club on a one-year deal following his release from Liverpool.

However, it is reported Caicedo prefers a move to Stamford Bridge which keeps Chelsea well in the race as they look to further strengthen their midfield.