With Chelsea allegedly being on the lookout for a new centerback, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo is now hotly rumored to be on their radar as Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s own Varane as a left-field option.<\/p>\n
The Blues are in the process of doing all they can to whittle down their bloated squad this summer, although admittedly selling Kalidou Koulibaly and Ethan Ampadu could run the risk of leaving them a little exposed at the back.<\/p>\n
The situation could be a little further compromised with the uncertain futures of Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah \u2013 the latter is rumored to be targeted by West Ham United while Wesley Fofana is noticeably a long-term absentee \u2013which is little wonder why Mauricio Pochettino’s side are being preoccupied with the search for new defenders.<\/p>\n
Chelsea writer Simon Phillips, via his Substack page, reports that Adarabioyo is a primary target being seriously considered by\u00a0the west London outfit, with others like Axel Disasi of Monaco and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi also being possible options on the Pochettino’s radar.<\/p>\n
As far as price considerations are concerned, Adarabioyo would likely be much more affordable than Disasi and Guehi, with RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins alleging that the Fulham dynamo is available for up to \u00a313m\u00a0as his contract expires in under a year’s time.<\/p>\n
Adarabioyo has also been linked\u00a0with Tottenham Hotspur and has spent the past three seasons with Fulham with two of those in the Premier League, either side of a spell in the Championship \u2013 after opting against trying to make the grade at Manchester City.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old gargantuan featured in eight matches for City\u00a0under Pep Guardiola, who lauded the youngster\u00a0two years ago for joining another club and making a name for himself at the highest level.<\/p>\n
“He’s a guy from the academy and, finally, he has taken his position in the Premier League. We are more than delighted the level he’s showing,” Guardiola said. “He deserves it. He’s an exceptional person and a good footballer.”<\/p>\n
With 58 Premier League appearances for Fulham \u2013 23 of those coming last season as a starter \u2013 the former England U19 ace topped Fulham defenders\u00a0for aerial duels won (2.4 per game), as per WhoScored, and clearances (5.5 per game). Adarabioyo also notched impressive clearances last season, with only three players in the division \u2013 Chris Mepham (5.6), Joachim Andersen (5.8) and Ethan Pinnock (7.1) \u2013 having averaged more clearances than the lad.<\/p>\n