Tottenham’s pulling power may not be enough to lure in a top defensive target.
According to reports, Tottenham’s pursuit of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is a losing endeavor. AS Monaco is also interested in the imposing center-back, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was unable to turn away during a recent round of transfer negotiations.
In the last days of the summer window, Adarabioyo is one of the few deals still accessible. The 25-year-old has one year left on his deal with Craven Cottage, and he has no plans to extend it.
Therefore, Fulham is under pressure to make a profit on the former Manchester City academy product in order to reduce the likelihood that they would lose him for nothing after a year. Spurs and Monaco have traditionally been Adarabioyo’s top two suitors.
Personal terms were’some way off’ being agreed upon during talks with Levy and other Tottenham hierarchy members, according to The Independent.
Adarabioyo allegedly prefers a move to Monaco, which is important because they can provide him a more important position in the starting XI. After five seasons of senior football in England, the Fulham star is reportedly eager to take his skills abroad.
Early on in Ange Postecoglou’s reign, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had developed a good center-back connection. Adarabioyo would therefore have to make a transfer to Spurs and push his way in from the outside if he wanted to do so.
After Adarabioyo’s representatives reaffirmed the player’s reluctance to sign renewed terms in west London, negotiations are thought to have intensified with Monaco over the previous few days. The former England youth international would team up with Folarin Balogun if he transferred to the Ligue 1 team.
The club announced the striker’s £34 million transfer from Arsenal on Wednesday. Balogun is the most recent in a long line of players who went through English academy programs before looking for possibilities abroad.
Earlier this week, Fulham and Spurs faced off, with the Cottagers winning on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round. Adarabioyo was left out of the matchday roster.
The 6ft 5in Manchester native had loan stints at West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers before making more than 100 first-team appearances for Fulham.