Arsenal have been waiting patiently to secure the services of RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams and Edu now has an opportunity to jump the queue ahead of the January transfer window.
The Gunners were linked with the 22-year-old holding midfielder earlier in the season but a deal failed to materialise after Edu prioritised the arrivals of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard, Nuno Tavares and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Mikel Arteta’s £149 million summer shopping spree saw the United States international, a self-proclaimed Arsenal fan, miss out on a move to the Emirates.
Despite the failed transfer, the north London side have been keeping tabs on Adams as Edu plots a second bite of the cherry in the winter window, according to German outlet SportBILD.
However, despite Arsenal’s prolonged interest in the midfield sensation, Ralf Rangnick’s appointment at the helm of Manchester United’s hands Edu a major threat that he must solve.
The Red Devils’ 63-year-old interim boss, and soon to be transfer chief come May, signed Adams from New York Red Bulls in January 2019 as part of his second stint as Leipzig manager.
Rangnick worked extensively with the footballing branch of Red Bull from 2012 up until only July 2021, taking up roles as sporting director, manager and global sports director across the network’s clubs.
Adams featured just twelve times under Rangnick at Leipzig but the German’s comprehensive knowledge of the American’s development under the Red Bull regime hands United a boost should the Red Devils pledge their interest.
But, as well as potentially having to contend with United’s financial power, Edu must contend with the ongoing declarations of admiration between Adams and Rangnick, which saw the latter liken the former to Joshua Kimmich – arguably the best number six in world football.
“Like Joshua, Tyler has an unbelievable will to win,” Rangnick told bundesliga.com. “He wants to win every match and every training game. He wants to improve and listens. He’s never satisfied. The sky is the limit.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Adams replied in an interview with timesnownews.com by saying: “It’s an honour to be compared with one of the best players in Europe.
“I’ve known Ralf [Rangnick] for some time now, and I highly regard his opinion because he’s an extraordinary expert in football. So, I’m flattered by his remarks.”
While the two love birds exchange their vowels, Edu has an opportunity to strike while the iron’s hot and call off Rangnick’s ideal January signing.
With the German having just got his feet beneath the table at Old Trafford, Arsenal must made inroads in prising Adams to London Colney before Rangnick has the chance to say otherwise.
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