Chelsea keen on signing Premier League star with 78 appearances- Enzo Maresca gives his seal of approval

Chelsea have jumped ahead of both Newcastle and Tottenham in the pursuit of free agent Tosin Adarabioyo after holding talks with the player’s representative this week. 

Newcastle were leading the race for the former Manchester City defender and have been working on a deal for several weeks but Chelsea have now jumped ahead of everyone with incoming manager Enzo Maresca reportedly giving a seal of approval for what will be his first signing as a Chelsea manager.

The former Manchester City defender turned down an improved offer from Fulham this season despite playing 78 league games for them in three seasons as he’s keen on testing himself at the highest level next season. 

One of the things that have counted against Newcastle in the chase for Tosin and tilted the 26-year-old towards Chelsea has been European football with Chelsea set to play in the Conference League next season while Newcastle missed out entirely because Manchester United won the FA Cup and took Chelsea’s position in the Europe. 

The deal makes sense for Chelsea in so many ways as they have just said goodbye to Thiago Silva and will need to bring in someone to replace the veteran. Tosin is free, as in there is no need to pay a transfer fee for him which means a reduced package, especially for clubs watching over their financials shoulders and the Premier League’s sustainability rules. 

Chelsea hoping for a busy summer 

Chelsea will announce Enzo Maresca in the coming days with the Italian manager set to replace the departed Mauricio Pochettino. When Maresca arrives, the club will then look to make room in the squad by selling some players with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah all being put for sale. 

They will then now look to bring in one defender, another striker and a winger to strengthen a squad that finished sixth last season.