Chelsea have stepped up their interest in signing one player this summer by offering him a contract.
While the Chelsea focus is currently on who’s going to succeed Mauricio Pochettino as the next manager, the club appears to be busy with transfer activity as well.
Incidentally, Sky Sports claims that Chelsea could soon appoint Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca as the club’s new head coach following positive talks. The Blues are expected to meet the 44-year-old’s release clause at Leicester, which is worth between £8m and £10m.
So, who could be the first signing of the Maresca era once it begins?
Chelsea offer defensive target a contract
Sky Sports claims that Chelsea have now ramped up their interest in signing Tosin Adarabioyo.
Adarabioyo, who’s just 26, is available on a free transfer this summer because his deal at Fulham expires at the end of June.
It is explained that Chelsea have offered the English defender a contract at Stamford Bridge.
The report says that Newcastle United are already in talks to sign the centre-back and that deal has been progressing well, but there’s now late rival interest.
Apparently, the Blues are looking at Fulham’s exit-bound central defender because of Thiago Silva’s exit.
Would Tosin Adarabioyo be a good signing?
The Chelsea Chronicle argues that Fulham’s Adarabioyo would be a sensible buy this summer, especially on a free transfer. Let’s see if the club can beat Newcastle to his signature, though.
The ball-playing centre-half can build up from the back, something key to incoming manager Maresca. Also. the 26-year-old’s got top-flight experience under his belt with Fulham, playing 78 Premier League matches in total.
Darragh Lenihan, who previously played alongside Adarabioyo when he was on loan at Blackburn Rovers in the 2019-20 season, praised the highly-rated defender.
Lenihan said via Lancashire Telegraph: “He’s (Adarabioyo) brilliant. His distribution is excellent, he’s quick, he’s big, he has all the attributes.”
This signing would go to show you don’t always need to splash the cash and there is deals to find in the market.