Why Tosin Adarabioyo chose Chelsea over Newcastle as Fulham defender ready for medical

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo will undergo a medical at Chelsea after rejecting a move to Newcastle.

The centre-back, who will become a free agent when his contract at Craven Cottage expires on June 30, has agreed a long-term deal with the Blues ahead of a free transfer.

He went through the academy in city ​​of manchesterwhere he worked with the prospective Blues boss. Enzo Marescawho was the club's under-21 coach.

While Chelsea are about to announce Maresca as their new boss, they are also in the final stages of closing a deal to reunite the coach with Adarabioyo.

It will be a blow for Newcastle, who considered the 26-year-old as their main target.

talkSPORT understands The Magpies have been pushing for a response from Adarabioyo, who also had interest from manchester unitedhaving first made contact about a move weeks ago.

The Tyneside team was believed to be relying on achieving a double deal this summer for the defender, as well as Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly.

talkSPORT understands Adarabioyo was waiting to see who qualified for European football, with Chelsea sealing a place in the Europa Conference Leaguewhile Newcastle came up empty-handed.

The Blues consider the Englishman to be a proven Premier League player and were attracted to him due to his aerial prowess, along with a strong injury history and his previous experience working with Maresca.

Adarabioyo would join a Chelsea team that has City's footprints everywhere, with Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia is also rising through the champions' ranks.

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Director of football Joe Shields also used to be the Etihad's chief scout and has had a lot to say in the transfer window under Clearlake Capital's ownership of the Blues.

Chelsea are expected to sell academy stars this summer, including Trevoh Chalobah, who has interest from United and Bayern Munich.

They are also looking to replace Thiago Silva after the veteran defender announced his departure at the beginning of the season.

Signing free agent Adarabioyo will also be a boost to Chelsea's efforts to stay in line with the Premier League's sustainability and profit rules, having spent lavishly over the past two years.

The Fulham star has been a key player in Marco Silvaalthough he missed the start of the season due to groin surgery.

This season he played 25 games in all competitions and a total of 132 for the Cottagers.