Chelsea moves away from Newcastle for the defender who worked with Enzo Maresca

Chelsea are closing in on signing Newcastle target Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer.

The center grew up in 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.

The center will see his Fulham The contract expires at the end of the month and you can go for free.

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

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.

While there is still a deal for the latter, it looks like Adarabioyo will slip through Eddie Howe's hands.

Maresca's imminent appointment at Chelsea could have made a big difference in the negotiations, as the manager knows the player well from his time at City.

If a deal is completed, the former England Under-19 international could become the first signing of the Maresca era at Stamford Bridge.

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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.

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 this summer 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.