Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up efforts to sign Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo as the summer transfer window approaches its close, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs have opened talks with their London rivals Chelsea to discuss a potential deal for the 28-year-old centre-back.
Romano describes a move for Adarabioyo as a “concrete possibility,” with Tottenham actively “working on a deal” to bring the defender to North London.
The interest in Adarabioyo comes as Tottenham seek defensive reinforcements following uncertainty over Kevin Danso’s future at the club.
Danso is among several players who have told head coach Roberto De Zerbi they wish to leave Tottenham before the transfer window shuts.
De Zerbi confirmed that Danso asked to leave just days ago, alongside teammates Richarlison and Pape Sarr, underlining the scale of the squad reshuffle underway at the club.
Any deal for Adarabioyo is understood to be dependent on Danso’s departure being finalised before the deadline closes on Tuesday night.
Adarabioyo joined Chelsea on a free transfer last year but has seen his influence diminish, having been excluded from the matchday squads for the club’s opening two Premier League fixtures this season.
Chelsea are motivated to sell after signing French centre-back Maxence Lacroix in a £52m deal from Crystal Palace, leaving Adarabioyo surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
The 28-year-old was reportedly offered to Manchester United last week, though United are not pursuing a move, leaving Tottenham as the primary interested party.
Adarabioyo came through Manchester City’s academy before establishing himself as a reliable Premier League centre-back during spells at West Brom and Fulham.
Born in London on September 24, 1997, the defender has considerable top-flight experience that Tottenham are hoping to harness as they look to stabilise a struggling backline.
Tottenham have been the biggest spenders in the Premier League this summer, investing over £300m in new additions, including a combined outlay of over £200m on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes alone.
Despite that heavy expenditure, Spurs have lost their opening two Premier League fixtures without scoring a single goal, adding pressure on the club to address defensive shortcomings quickly.