Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'hijack Newcastle United free transfer' for Premier League defender

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 01 June 2024

Chelsea 'hijack Newcastle free transfer' for Premier League defender

Chelsea reportedly edge out Newcastle United to secure the signature of a player who is leaving another Premier League club on a free transfer.

Chelsea have reportedly edged out Newcastle United in the race for a Premier League defender.

Despite the departure of Thiago Silva, the Blues are well stocked for central defenders with Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana all options when fit.

However, if reports are to be believed, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are determined to cash in on academy graduate Chalobah.

Not only would selling the 24-year-old raise important revenue in Chelsea's bid to pass the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), it would give them the opportunity to find a cheaper alternative.

While Chalobah is not believed to be close to departing Stamford Bridge at this stage, it appears that a replacement is already on the brink of joining.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo celebrates after the match on December 19, 2023 © Reuters

Chelsea beat Newcastle to Adarabioyo

With Newcastle not in the best position with regards to PSR, the Magpies have taken an interest in trying to sign Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly on free transfers.

As it stands, the latter seems likely to leave Bournemouth in order to make the switch to St James' Park, yet Eddie Howe's side have allegedly been handed a major blow in the race for Adarabioyo.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are on the brink of confirming the signing of the Fulham defender.

Romano says that the 26-year-old has verbally agreed to sign a contract with Chelsea and a medical has been booked for next week.

Chelsea will now look to get a transfer over the line as soon as possible, as well as place extra emphasis on cashing in on Chalobah or an alternative.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo in action with Newcastle United's Alexander Isak on April 6, 2024 © Reuters

Will move represent step up for Adarabioyo?

Adarabioyo is no stranger to playing for an elite club having come through the Manchester City academy system to make eight appearances.

That said, the bulk of his football has come elsewhere, with more appearances occurring in the Championship (104) than in the Premier League (78).

Last season, Adarabioyo made 20 outings in the Premier League with Fulham, with his cause for game time not helped by being left out of a number of squads during the closing weeks after it emerged he would not pen fresh terms at Craven Cottage.

Fulham were a far better team with Adarabioyo in it, with wins being posted over Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur when he completed the 90 minutes.

While he will not necessarily be an automatic first-choice pick at Chelsea, Adarabioyo will immediately become one of the elder statesmen in the dressing room, even when just three months short of his 27th birthday.