United States national team player-turned-pundit Alexi Lalas has suggested that Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams could "end up falling upwards" if the club are relegated from the Premier League amid apparent interest from Manchester United.
Adams, who turns 24 on Tuesday, impressed at Old Trafford in midweek, notably pressing Bruno Fernandes into a mistake inside the opening minute to win possession back in the build-up to the opening goal of the game. That match marked the player's 20th appearance of the season since signing from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window.
Leeds paid a fee of around £20million to bring Adams to the Premier League, and the player penned a five-year contract through to the summer of 2027. That deal may well secure the United States international, who captained the country during the World Cup last year, at Elland Road for the long-term on paper; the very real prospect of relegation means that all could change very quickly, as soon as the end of the season.
READ MORE: United eye surprise move for Adams
TEAMtalk claimed back in December that interest from United was 'genuine' after Adams' performances last year 'caught the eye' of manager Erik ten Hag. Lalas has now speculated on the prospect of the player moving to a "better situation" than battling at the bottom of the top flight.
“When this all shakes out, maybe they end up falling upwards,” the pundit said on Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast, relayed by HITC. “If they do go down, I think there will be a market for some of these players. Who knows, maybe they get into a better situation when they are not always facing the threat of relegation?”
Lalas also shared some sympathy for Ralf Rangnick's former assistant coach Chris Armas, who is now one of three caretaker coaches leading the first team at Leeds in the aftermath of Jesse Marsch being sacked. “By the way, pour one out for Chris Armas, who came in as Jesse’s assistant a week ago and now here’s the situation,” he added.
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter below. CLICK HERE
READ NEXT:
