As the Newcastle Jets gear up for pre-season training, star winger Eli Adams is set to join the squad on Monday. However, his future remains uncertain as he has attracted significant interest from several overseas clubs, making a potential move abroad increasingly likely.

Interest from Overseas Clubs

Japanese club Gamba Osaka is reportedly in the lead to secure Adams, who has also drawn attention from Red Bull Salzburg, Belgian side Gent, and English Championship club Derby County. With a year left on his contract with the Jets, football website Transfermarkt estimates that the club could receive a transfer fee of around $1 million for the talented 24-year-old.

Adams' Impressive Season

Adams had a remarkable season, netting eight goals and being recognized with two nominations for the A-League's goal of the year. He was also named the A-League's Young Player of the Year, a selection that surprised many as he was not called up to the Socceroos. After a four-week break, he has returned to Newcastle, where the Jets will begin pre-season with medical assessments and tests.

Squad Changes and New Additions

The Jets currently have 20 players on their roster, including four scholarship players. The team has seen several departures, particularly in the attacking line, with Lachie Rose moving to Dundee United, Lachie Bayliss joining Auckland, and Ben Gibson linking up with Macarthur. Clayton Taylor is also expected to finalize a move to Barnsley in League One. Despite these changes, seven players from the starting lineup that faced Sydney in the grand final qualifier remain with the team. New additions include Greek striker Niko Vergos and former Melbourne City midfielder Zane Schreiber, while Oscar Fryer and Alex Badolato are recovering from ACL injuries and are expected to be fit for the upcoming A-League season.

In addition to these developments, the Jets are reportedly close to finalizing a two-year deal with former Sydney FC winger Joe Lolley, who has scored 36 goals in 95 A-League appearances. As the transfer window approaches, the Jets are poised for significant changes in their squad.