Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Newcastle target Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer.
The centre-back came up through the academy at Manchester City, where he worked under prospective Blues boss Enzo Maresca, who used to be the club’s Under-21 coach.
While Chelsea are poised to announce Maresca as their new boss, they are also in the final stages of clinching a deal to reunite the coach with Adarabioyo.
The centre-back will see his Fulham contract expire at the end of the month and can leave for nothing.
It will be a huge blow to Newcastle, who have regarded the 26-year-old as a top target throughout the year.
talkSPORT understands the Magpies have been pushing for an answer from Adarabioyo, who also had interest from Manchester United, having first made contact over a move weeks ago.
The Tyneside outfit were believed to be confident of pulling off a double deal this summer for the defender, as well as Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly.
While a deal is still on for the latter, it appears Adarabioyo is set to slip through Eddie Howe’s fingers despite Newcastle preparing to offer him a huge pay rise, talkSPORT understands.
The impending appointment of Maresca at Chelsea could have been a major difference in negotiations, with the coach knowing the player well from his time at City.
If a deal is complete, the former England Under-19 international could become the first signing of the Maresca era at Stamford Bridge.
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Adarabioyo would join a Chelsea side that has City’s fingerprints all over it, with Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia also coming up through the champions’ academy.
Director of football Joe Shields also used to be the chief scout at the Etihad and has had plenty of say in the transfer window under Clearlake Capital’s ownership of the Blues.
Chelsea are expected to sell academy stars this summer, including Trevoh Chalobah, who has interest from United and Bayern Munich.
They are also looking to replace Thiago Silva after the veteran defender announced his exit this summer earlier in the season.
Signing free agent Adarabioyo will also be a boost to Chelsea’s efforts to keep in line with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, having spent lavishly in the last two years.
The Fulham star has been a key player under Marco Silva, though he missed the start of the season with groin surgery.
This season, he made 25 appearances in all competitions and a total of 132 for the Cottagers.