Chelsea are aiming to hijack Newcastle’s move to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer.
Adarabioyo is available as a free agent after informing Fulham that he will not extend his deal with the club. The 26-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next month and Newcastle have been working on a deal to bring Adarabioyo to St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe wants to bolster his depleted defensive options, having seen Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles suffer ACL injuries, with the arrivals of Adarabioyo and Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on free transfers.
However, inews are reporting that Chelsea have made a late bid to hijack the deal and agree terms to bring Adarabioyo across West London. Adarabioyo’s representatives have held talks with the Blues, while there has also been interest in the defender from Manchester United, AC Milan and Tottenham.
Newcastle have submitted a ‘very competitive’ offer to the free agent and have made good progress in deals for Adarabioyo and Kelly, though there will be concern at St James’ Park of interest from Chelsea, who pipped the Magpies to European qualification this season.
Adarabioyo, who began his career in the academy of Manchester City before a £2m move to Fulham four years ago, is keen to boost his international ambitions with a transfer to a high-profile club. He has represented England up to u-19 level, though remains eligible to represent Nigeria.
