Chelsea on brink of deal for Nigerian centre-back who is also wanted by Newcastle United

Chelsea are on the brink of completing a deal for Nigerian central defender Tosin Adarabioyo who is also wanted by Newcastle United.

According to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League giants are closing in on a deal for the 26-year-old with negotiations at a final stage and he could be Enzo Maresca's first signing.

Newcastle had been tipped to get his signature as the Magpies had been working on a deal for him but could now be beaten by the two-time European champions.

Chelsea have identified the Anglo-Nigerian center back as a replacement for Thiago Silva whose contract ends at the end of this month after spending four years at Stamford Bridge.

With the departure of Silva, the West Londoners have felt the need to bring in another right footed center back though Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi can play in that position.

However, Fofana has been injury prone since his arrival at Stamford Bridge while Disasi hasn't also been consistent since he joined last summer, thus the need to bring in another right footed central defender.

Adarabioyo has the potential to beat the two French defenders to a spot into the starting lineup, having garnered more Premier League experience over the years than Disasi and has a better fitness record than Fofana.

The Manchester City Academy product has accumulated 78 Premier League appearances and has scored three goals.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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