British climber Adam Yates is on the verge of joining Team Ineos in 2021 after being offered a multi-year contract to team up with Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas for the upcoming season.

Yates, 27, and his twin brother Simon are out of contract at the end of this year. However, with the team's long-term future beyond 2022 uncertain, and space for Team Ineos with Chris Froome's already announced move to the Israeli Startup Nation, Adam Yates is said to be weighing his options.

Yates' agent could not be reached for comment.

Several teams have expressed interest in Yates this season, with Trek Segafredo briefly interested in Simon Yates. However, that interest has cooled, and the Italian team told Cyclingnews that it will not pursue the British climber, even if Richie Porte is set to move to Ineos.

Simon's chances of re-signing with the Australian WorldTour team look increasingly likely as owner Jerry Ryan has announced that he will fund the team at least through 2022 and is seeking financial support from new sponsors. However, according to several sources, Adam Yates has given the Ineos offer considerable consideration.

The British team may be stacked with Grand Tour leaders, but it offers more long-term stability.

A possible disadvantage of the move would be the weight of responsibility. Yates at Mitchelton-Scott would have far greater freedom and opportunity, especially with regard to Grand Tour-centric goals. At Ineos, he will have to compete for leadership roles with young riders like Thomas, Bernal, Richard Kalapas, and Pavel Sivakov.

On a different level, Mitchelton Scott was consistently interested in Yates before he turned pro, while Ineos (then Team Sky) was reportedly only keen to sign Simon Yates before both players turned pro.

Yates has been with Mitchelton Scott (then Orica GreenEdge) since 2014, when he and his brother turned pro. He won several high-profile races, including the Clasica San Sebastian; he finished fourth in the 2016 Tour de France, taking the white jersey, but his Grand Tour results since then have not lived up to his promise.

He is set to compete in the Tour de France later this year and won the UAE Tour earlier this year.

Mitchelton-Scott is currently on hold regarding a move. Ryan can only offer a short-term contract and his budget will not increase, so the team will have to balance the players they have acquired with those who are leaving.

Daryl Impey is one such player, and the South African native has yet to decide whether to sign with Mitchelton Scott or Chris Froome at Israel Startup Nation.

Cycling News contacted Team Ineos regarding Adam Yates. They replied: "We do not comment on speculation or on contracts with riders.

It is not only the rider who is moving, but Bianchi is also in deep negotiations to replace Scott as the team's bike supplier.

Scott has been with the team for eight years, but has been hit by a financial crisis stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. With Jumbo Visma switching to Cervelo bikes starting in 2021, Bianchi is no longer able to compete in the World Tour. As a result, discussions with Mitchelton have advanced to a very advanced stage.