Chelsea will reportedly compete with Newcastle United for 26-year-old soon-to-be-free Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Tosin Adarabioyo is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window. But the West London club will face stiff competition from Newcastle United for the 26-year-old Fulham defender.
Tosin Adarabioyo at Fulham: The story so far
Tosin Adarabioyo has been a dependable performer since joining Fulham from Manchester City in October 2020. A native of Manchester, the former England youth international has found a stable footing at Fulham, going from strength to strength in the last four years at the West London club.
The 26-year-old has turned out 132 times thus far for Fulham, chipping in with five goals and two assists. However, Adarabioyo’s stint with the West London club will end in the summer transfer window, as he will become a free agent in July. Such a situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Chelsea and Newcastle United.
A man in demand
Chelsea’s interest in Adarabioyo is understandable. The West London club will part ways with Thiago Silva in the summer transfer window once the veteran Brazilian defender’s contract expires. In addition, Trevoh Chalobah faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after coming close to leaving Chelsea earlier this season.
So, it behoves Chelsea to invest in a centre-back in the summer transfer window, with Tosin Adarabioyo emerging as a viable target. And Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Chelsea and Newcastle United are among the clubs informed on the soon-to-be-free centre-back. In addition, several clubs are asking for conditions of potential free signing, but he does not have a formal offer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s interest in Adarabioyo stems from the crippling injury crisis at St. James’ Park. Eddie Howe has lost Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, and Jamaal Lascelles to long-term injuries. So, Newcastle United can do with a centre-back this summer, with the Fulham defender emerging as a viable target.
Other Premier League bigwigs are also keen on securing Tosin Adarabioyo’s services in a Bosman move this summer. So, Chelsea should step up the efforts to sign the 26-year-old soon-to-be-free defender and beat the competition to his signature.
