Tosin Adarabioyo has attracted a lot of attention at Fulham (Picture: Getty Images)
Tosin Adarabioyo is set to leave Fulham on a free transfer this summer and Newcastle are close to snapping him up after agreeing the ‘framework’ of a deal.
The 26-year-old has emerged on the radar of a number of clubs, with both Manchester United and Chelsea credited with an interest in signing him this summer, while Monaco failed with bids for him last year.
The defender has been at Fulham since 2020 after coming through the ranks at Manchester City and the Cottagers were keen to keep hold of him but Adarabioyo rejected contract offers.
He will not be short of options for his next move, with West Ham and Tottenham also showing interest in the past, but it appears that the Magpies are winning the race for his signature.
The Daily Mail report that discussions have been fruitful this week and the basics of a deal are in place to take the Fulham man to St James’ Park.
Unless there is any substantial progress from other interested parties then the deal should be done in the next few days, with Adarabioyo said to be impressed by the project sold to him by manager Eddie Howe.
Newcastle have struggled with injuries at centre-back this season with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles both suffering long-term knee problems.
Eddie Howe looks to have beaten a number of rivals to signing the imposing defender (Picture: Getty Images)
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn started the last Premier League game of the season at Brentford in the middle of defence.
Fulham only paid around £2m for Adarabioyo in 2020, but it will still be a blow to see the 6’5″ centre-back leave the club on a free transfer to a Premier League rival.
Newcastle are also closing in on the free transfer of Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth after the defender announced his intention to leave the Cherries at the end of his contract.
The 25-year-old can operate at either centre-back or left-back and has been with Bournemouth since 2019, spending three seasons in the top flight and two in the Championship.
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