Chelsea have reportedly entered the race for a soon-to-be free agent linked with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo sees his Craven Cottage deal expire at the end of the season, and he has supposedly told the club that he will be leaving when his terms run out.
Last year, the Cottagers triggered an extension in Adarabioyo's deal to retain his services for 2023-24, but their efforts to tie him down to a long-term renewal have seemingly ended in failure.
The former Manchester City youngster was left out of Marco Silva's squad for last weekend's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace after informing the hierarchy of his decision, and he is likely to be snubbed for this weekend's Premier League London derby with Brentford after Silva admitted that he would "probably" not be at the club next season.
At 26 years of age and with a few seasons of Premier League experience under his belt already, Adarabioyo should not be short of suitors this summer, with Manchester United and Liverpool said to be among them.
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Chelsea 'aware of conditions to sign Adarabioyo
Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea and Newcastle United are also monitoring the situation and have both been informed of the "conditions" to sign Adarabioyo from his camp.
A number of clubs have supposedly already made contact, but the 26-year-old is still waiting for an official proposal and will not rush into a decision on his next career move.
As well as the interest from the Premier League, Adarabioyo could have his pick of a few European outfits too, with both Monaco and AC Milan thought to be admirers.
Adarabioyo played eight times for Manchester City, whom he joined in 2003, but he failed to make the grade at the Etihad and left permanently for Fulham in the summer of 2020.
The centre-back has since conjured up five goals and two assists in 132 games for the West London giants, who paid a mere £1.4m to prise him away from the Etihad academy four years ago.
Tosin identified as Thiago Silva replacement?
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Adarabioyo's potential arrival at Stamford Bridge will only come after at least one defender's exit, as Thiago Silva is confirmed to be leaving Chelsea when his terms run out at the end of June.
The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in an emotional farewell video this week, and he could be one of three central defenders to head for the exit door, a list which also includes the ostracised Malang Sarr.
Trevoh Chalobah's future has been up in the air as well, but the 24-year-old has forced his way into Pochettino's plans recently and scored the opening goal in Thursday's 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Alfie Gilchrist - who was shoe-horned into a wide role - were Chelsea's only fit senior centre-backs for the midweek derby, as Silva, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana are all out through injury.
None of Mauricio Pochettino's stricken players should return for Sunday's visit of West Ham United, where the Blues boss could again be working around a 14-man absentee list.
Ben Knapton
