Tosin Adarabioyo currently looks to have two offers on the table as he prepares to leave Fulham this summer.
The soon to be free agent has serious interest from Chelsea and from Newcastle according to most previous reports, and an update from TeamTalk last night added some important detail to the matter.
They say that Chelsea are going to offer a more competitive package than the Magpies – aka more wedge for the central defender who is in demand and knows he can ask for a decent sum. Chelsea are clearly keen on the way that a free agent’s cost is entirely spread through his contract, and think the 26 year old is a smart signing.
We’d like to see a central defender join to replace Thiago Silva, and Adarabioyo looks a really good player. With 208 career appearances, 75 of them in the Premier League, he would be something of an older head and elder statesman in the current squad, especially with Silva gone.
A smart move – but not at too big a price
Chelsea’s financial strength this summer is still something of a mystery, with some saying they’re broke and others saying to expect fireworks. But whatever they want to do, Tosin is a bargain. Sadly the money trading aspect of it means that Trevoh Chalobah, an even younger player with 58 Premier League appearances at 24 and home grown, may have to be sold to make it happen.
We’d much rather see Axel Disasi or even Benoit Badiashile leave if it was really necessary for one to go to get Adarabioyo. But the investment in them means the club can’t cash out. He looks a great player at good value – but he’d have to be a world beater to improve on Chalobah on such a modest contract compared to what the incoming free agent can ask for.
