According to The Athletic, Newcastle United are showing interest in signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo this summer.
As revealed by David Ornstein, the centre-back has a release clause in his contract that can now be activated following their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed last week.
His colleague, Peter Rutzler – The Athletic’s reporter for Fulham FC – claims that ourselves and Arsenal are eyeing a move for the England youth international, with the player himself open to leaving.
Adarabioyo, 23, is a 6ft 5′ defender who has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise flat season for Fulham, seeing him strike up an at times solid partnership with Lyon loanee Joachim Andersen.
He arrived at Craven Cottage just last summer, signing from Man City for a fee that could rise to £2m with add ons – a cut-price move that’s believed to have included a 20% sell-on clause for the Premier League Champions.
Although they’ve struggled at both ends of the pitch at times this season, I’ve actually been impressed by the big defender more often than not when watching Fulham, with him possessing an impressive turn of pace for his height and a sense of calm in possession – two things many of our ageing CB options lack.
Here’s a snippet from The Athletic’s latest column on potential summer transfers:
Arsenal and Newcastle are among clubs to have expressed an interest in Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, Peter Rutzler reports.
It’s understood the 23-year-old is open to leaving Craven Cottage this summer after Fulham were relegated to the Championship last week. He has made 31 appearances in the Premier League so far this season, forming a key part of a new-look defence that looks set to be broken up this summer. Fulham are poised to lose their loanees after relegation, including fellow defenders Joachim Andersen and Ola Aina, who are expected to return to their parent clubs.
Tosin signed for Fulham from Manchester City on deadline day last October, ending an 18-year association with the Premier League champions. He joined Fulham for an initial fee of £1.5 million, rising to £2 million with add ons. The cut-price deal also featured a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
Arsenal and Newcastle are among clubs from both England and Germany thought to be monitoring the 6ft 5in defender, who is understood to have a buy-out clause in his contract at Fulham. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta knows Tosin well from their time together at Manchester City.
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Tosin and Andersen have been good for Fulham this season. I know they are going down but they have never been destroyed by anyone this season & they have the best defensive record from set pieces of any club in the league.
If we can get Tosin at a decent price I’d take him, along with Ajer if we can.
I think Fede will leave & I’d sell either Lejuene or Schar or both to bring these younger lads in.
Sharpy17(Quote)