Transfer Rumor: Tyler Adams to Arsenal?

The latest Arsenal transfer rumor has the Gunners interested in Tyler Adams, the RB Leipzig and U.S. Men’s National Team right back. The Athletic first reported the link but also wrote that Leipzig are “reluctant” to sell because they’re already losing their two starting centerbacks this window. The transfer window opened yesterday (June 9th), and it already feels like the Silly Season has been turned up to 11.

Right back is one of several positions Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen this summer, and with Hector Bellerin probably headed elsewhere and Ainsley Maitland-Niles situation up in the air, it seems likely the Gunners will bring in right back competition for Calum Chambers. As I wrote yesterday, Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be that right back competition, but he seems unwilling to lock himself into the role, preferring to seek more time as a central midfielder.

Adams (fbref) and Maitland-Niles (fbref) are relatively similar players. Adams is a much better passer. Maitland-Niles a significantly better dribbler. They’re about even from a defensive statistics standpoint.

But Arsenal already own one of them — Ainsley Maitland-Niles. It doesn’t make much sense to spend a portion of a limited pool for marginal upgrades, especially if AMN doesn’t move this summer. For what it’s worth, transfermarkt has Adams valued at $5M more. So I guess if Arsenal can get Adams for around what they sell Maitland-Niles for, then sure, why not.

Essentially swapping Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Tyler Adams isn’t very exciting from a footballing standpoint, and it isn’t what going to propel Arsenal back into Champions League contention. It is exciting from a U.S.-based Arsenal fan standpoint, which has some degree of marketing value for the club. I’d love to see a USMNT regular in North London, but I don’t think it’s going to be Tyler Adams.

As with most of the transfer rumors that make the rounds, this rumor is probably much ado about nothing. As The Athletic wrote, RB Leipzig aren’t too keen to sell Adams, and the last I checked, it takes a willing buyer and a willing seller for a player to move.