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5 months ago
34 It had been reported that Manchester United were trying to hijack Newcastle’s move for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, but it turns out Chelsea are closing in on a deal for the free agent.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are now favourites to sign Adarabioyo as a free agent this summer with his contract at Fulham set the expire.
The former Man City academy player was tipped as a target for United in recent months, with the club trying to conduct their recruitment better after years of making the wrong signings.
One area that will be a high priority to address is United’s defence. That is why Adarabioyo was deemed a sensible option to bolster the squad with a new centre-back following the departure of Raphael Varane.
However, Romano explains Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Adarabioyo and negotiations are at the final stages.
It is understood that Newcastle have been working on a deal for Adarabioyo, but Chelsea leapt ahead of them in the race for his signature.
Adarabioyo is now expected to be Enzo Maresca’s first signing as Chelsea manager.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea are closing in on deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo, negotiations at final stages.
Newcastle have been working on Tosin deal for weeks but #CFC now clear favorites, cautious until it’s sealed.
Tosin to be first signing for Enzo Maresca, if all goes to plans. pic.twitter.com/G50wL6gwy3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 1, 2024
Interestingly, Romano doesn’t mention United in his transfer update, but there has been no shortage of speculation in recent months.
Ben Jacobs recently told GIVEMESPORT that United were lurking in the background, when asked about Adarabioyo.
“Chelsea looked at Tosin a couple of weeks ago without necessarily advancing anything too far. And still, the feeling is that Newcastle have been the ones pushing and at times in the last week or two have been relatively confident that they will be able to get that over the line along with Lloyd Kelly, also joining on a free.
“But I’ve always been told that Manchester United have been the other club kind of lurking in the background and trying to scupper the deal to Newcastle, so they’re still ones to watch. The door’s not closed for Tosin to also end up moving to Old Trafford over St. James’s Park.”
Manchester United held back by wait over Ten Hag decision
An interesting article appeared in the Manchester Evening News on Friday afternoon, regarding agents being impatient with the uncertainty surrounding United’s managerial situation. The club is conducting an end-of-season review and we must wait for that to conclude before an announcement is made on Ten Hag.
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While it’s possible to sign players without a manager in place, it’s rare at this level and with the type of players United are trying to attract.
Footballers will want to know what the future project at United is going to look like, yet the new co-owners are dragging their heels over whether Ten Hag should remain as manager.
It’s worrying to think Ten Hag could be sacked when none of the potential candidates are exciting. The sooner it’s sorted the better and maybe United will be able to move on with transfers.
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