Newcastle are aiming to beat Tottenham and Liverpool to the signings of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo and Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly.
The defensive duo are each out of contract at the end of the campaign and their availability on a free transfer, alongside homegrown status, has attracted interest from teams at the top end of the division.
Adarabioyo has impressed at Fulham in partnership with Calvin Bassey at centre-back, with the former Manchester City youngster excelling aerially in both boxes.
Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham – who are aiming to increase their homegrown quota – have checked in on the progress of the 26-year-old this season as his contract winds down at Craven Cottage.
Newcastle are also in the race, according to Telegraph, as the Magpies look to combat the long-term absences of Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles with ACL injuries.
Eddie Howe’s side announced a loss of £73.4 million for the 2022/23 season and view Adarabioyo as a cost-efficient method of strengthening their backline amid PSR restrictions.
Fulham hope to persuade the centre-back to sign a new deal, however, and are prepared to make him their highest-paid player.
Newcastle have also extensively scouted Lloyd Kelly. Spurs and Liverpool have monitored the Bournemouth defender, who can perform centrally and at left-back. Howe knows the 25-year-old well and signed Kelly for Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2019.
