Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo this month.
The 27-year-old only moved to Stamford Bridge six months ago on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Fulham.
Tosin has started 15 of his 18 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions this season, including five starts in the Blues' last eight Premier League games.
The former Manchester City youngster has been benched a total of 13 times, though, and has had to battle with Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and - more recently - Josh Acheampong for a place in Enzo Maresca's defence.
Tosin, who scored twice in Chelsea's 5-0 FA Cup win over Morecambe last week, recently expressed his happiness to be at Stamford Bridge and is content with fighting for first-team football with other "top players" at the club.
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Brighton 'express interest' in Tosin
"It definitely feels like home now," Tosin told reporters. "It's been quite seamless settling in, knowing the manager and a few of the boys. It's been great."
He added: "When you join a top club like Chelsea, there are top players in every position, so you have to fight every single day in training and be patient and bide your time, like I have done so far.
"Competition for places elevates your own game to a new level, that's what it's all about. It's why we have so many good players in every position to push us on. We are one group here; we all support each other no matter if you're on the bench or in the starting lineup."
Despite this, speculation over Tosin's future at Chelsea has surfaced, with multiple reports, including one from the Daily Mail, claiming that Brighton & Hove Albion have expressed their interest in signing the defender.
It is understood that the Seagulls are looking to tempt Tosin to the Amex Stadium in a permanent deal, but it is unclear as to whether Chelsea would be prepared to let him leave at this stage.
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Could Chelsea let Tosin leave after Chalobah recall?
Speculation over Tosin's future comes at a time when Chelsea have decided to recall fellow defender Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.
It is claimed that Chalobah has been assured by Chelsea that he will start matches under Maresca during the second half of this season, potentially raising doubts over Tosin's future game time.
Brighton are believed to be on the lookout for a new defender now that Igor Julio is ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery.
Fabian Hurzeler has three other centre-back options in captain Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Jan Paul van Hecke, although the former two have struggled with injuries this term.
Tosin is under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2028, but his potential sale could help Chelsea's situation with regards to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, as they would be guaranteed to make profit on a player they signed for free last summer.
Oliver Thomas
