Chelsea join Newcastle in race for free agent defender - report

Chelsea are monitoring the situation of out-of-contract Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Adarabioyo is expected to leave Craven Cottage at the end of his current deal and won't be short of options or suitors.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea and Newcastle United are just two of the clubs who have been 'informed on [the] conditions' needed to sign Adarabioyo this summer.

The Blues and the Magpies are at a disadvantage to clubs in mainland Europe, who are already able to offer Adarabioyo a pre-contract. He was previously linked with French side Monaco, while Milan has also been touted as a potential destination.

Adarabioyo came close to leaving Fulham last summer, with Tottenham Hotspur failing in their attempts to sign him. Spurs' pursuit of a new centre-back saw them bring in Genoa's Radu Dragusin during the January window instead.

Chelsea are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements, not least due to recent news that Thiago Silva will leave the club at the end of the season.

Academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah, who put in a top display with a goal and clean sheet against Tottenham on Thursday, has also been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle, meanwhile, may have to look at cheaper signings ahead of the 2024/25 season. 90min recently reported they need to raise £35m to £50m in player sales to ease PSR concerns, and if they are forced to sell a key player in order to meet that threshold, they would rather part company with Bruno Guimaraes than Alexander Isak.

After missing the opening months of the season due to a groin injury, Adarabioyo has worked his way back into the Fulham fold and has made 25 appearances in all competitions so far this term, scoring twice.

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