Newcastle are still the frontrunners to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham this summer despite interest in the defender from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Adarabioyo has informed Fulham that he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season and is keen to move to a side competing in European competition.
Newcastle have laid the groundwork in a deal to bring the centre-back to St James’ Park, as Eddie Howe looks to bolster an area of his squad that has been decimated by long-term injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.
Adarabioyo and Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly are both targets for Newcastle, with the free agents offering cost-efficient defensive depth and homegrown status.
However, the Magpies are not alone in their pursuit of Adarabioyo with reports this week claiming Manchester United are also interested. The 26-year-old was born in Manchester and came through the academy system at Manchester City before joining Fulham in a £2m deal in 2020.
Raphael Varane announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season and there are doubts surrounding the immediate futures of fellow central defenders Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.
Chelsea are also informed on the conditions of a deal for Adarabioyo, though Fabrizio Romano has said that Newcastle remain in the driving seat to bring the defender to St James’ Park.
