Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of English centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo faces a potential setback as the player reportedly favors a move to AS Monaco in Ligue 1. Adarabioyo, who currently plays for Fulham, is in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage, prompting the club to seek a transfer before the 2023/24 season commences.
Monaco has taken the initiative by submitting an opening offer for the 25-year-old defender, who has not been included in Fulham’s Premier League Summer Series matches in the United States. The French club is also interested in Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu, as they look to strengthen their defensive lineup.
Foot Mercato, a reputable French outlet, reports that Fulham has agreed on personal terms with Adarabioyo, instilling confidence that they can secure the transfer ahead of Tottenham. However, the opening offer from Monaco, which stands at £4 million, falls significantly short of Fulham’s valuation of £13 million for the player.
Tottenham’s Struggles in Center-Back Hunt
Tottenham’s efforts to acquire a center-back this summer have been met with several setbacks and delays. Initially, the club seemed positive in their pursuit of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven, but discussions have since gone quiet, indicating a possible change of heart.
Their primary target, Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen, is proving difficult to secure as the Bundesliga club is unwilling to negotiate a deal easily. Bayer Leverkusen’s Chief, Simon Rolfes, asserted the importance of Tapsoba to their team and emphasized that he still has a long contract with the club.
Spurs’ manager, Ange Postecoglou, has expressed the club’s intention to sign at least one center-back during this transfer window, highlighting the urgency to bolster their defensive options.
Tottenham’s Defensive Reshuffling and Potential Departures
As Tottenham aims to bring in new defenders, they are simultaneously working to offload some of their existing players. Davison Sanchez appears to be the closest to an exit, with Spartak Moscow having an accepted bid from Spurs. However, the transfer might not materialize, and other European clubs, including Real Betis, Strasbourg, Fenerbahce, Villarreal, and Galatasaray, have expressed interest in the Colombian defender.
With Tosin Adarabioyo’s apparent preference for a move to Monaco, Tottenham faces a challenging situation in their quest to strengthen their defense ahead of the upcoming season. The club’s hierarchy will have to navigate these developments diligently and explore alternative options to bolster their squad for the challenges that lie ahead.
