Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a big boost in their centre-back search with Tosin Adarabioyo ready to turn down a new contract after telling Fulham he wants to leave on a free.
And while you may argue that this does not solve Tottenham’s immediate need for defensive reinforcements – Tosin Adarabioyo’s Fulham contract expiring in July rather than January – consider this.
Could Fulham, after being left in no doubt about Tosin’s desire to move on, now look to push the wantaway defender out the door in the winter? Next month represents Fulham’s last chance to make any sort of money from Tosin’s departure, after all, and his hopes of leaving Craven Cottage on a free transfer – therefore giving him the pick of the clubs and allowing the defender to choose his own destiny – may be scuppered if Fulham decide to cash in while they still can (The Sun).
Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo is a Tottenham target
Tottenham are long-time admirers of the one-time Manchester City youngster.
Now 26, Tosin is an experienced Premier League operator these days, and has impressed since coming back into Marco Silva’s starting XI following a groin injury.
“He is a key player for us,” Silva told Hammy End after Tosin’s colossal performance during the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Everton. “He is one of the leaders in our dressing room. Tosin is a special player for us, I can’t hide that situation.
“The way he can defend the box but also on the ball, he is a special player for me. He is getting better and better. A great performance from him against Everton.”
Spurs need centre-backs
Tosin has always been an excellent penalty area defender – he averaged the fourth most clearances in the Premier League last term (WhoScored) – but has taken his distribution to a whole new level of late. That combination of physicality and guile is likely to appeal to Ange Postecoglou, a coach who priorities technical ability over physicality.
Tosin is likely to be available for a cut-price fee in January too, Fulham expected to demand a fee far less than Tottenham would have to pay for Genoa’s Radu Dragusin or Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
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