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Tottenham Hotspur have moved dramatically into negotiations to sign Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo as the summer transfer window heads into its closing hours. The north London club are acting fast to reinforce their defence after internal developments concerning the future of some of their own backline options.

Tottenham enter the race for Adarabioyo

Tottenham have now formally opened discussions with Chelsea over a late deal for Adarabioyo with Tuesday night’s deadline fast approaching. The 28-year-old centre-back, who joined Stamford Bridge on a free transfer only last year, has seen his role diminish under Xabi Alonso and was notably left out of Chelsea’s matchday squads for their first two Premier League games.

The urgency from Tottenham’s hierarchy comes after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Spurs are working on an agreement for the defender. Chelsea had reportedly been looking at different ways to move the player on, including offering him to Manchester United as recently as last week, but Michael Carrick’s side have opted against following up that opportunity.

That has effectively left the path clear for Roberto De Zerbi to step in and add to a squad that has had a difficult opening to the new season despite record-breaking spending in the summer.

De Zerbi addresses defensive departures

The push for Adarabioyo is being strongly shaped by the current situation inside the Tottenham dressing room, particularly over the future of Kevin Danso. The Austria defender is reported to have made it clear that he wants to leave north London, forcing the club’s recruitment department to respond.

De Zerbi has spoken openly about the matter, admitting that a number of important players have indicated that they want to move before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening. Discussing those possible exits, De Zerbi said Danso had asked to leave only a few days ago, along with Richarlison and Pape Sarr. Explaining his thinking around squad selection, the Italian manager said: "Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave. Danso came to me two days ago and he said he wants to leave. Pape Sarr the same."

Chelsea's changing defensive guard

Chelsea’s readiness to allow Adarabioyo to leave is linked to a major reshaping of their own defensive unit. The Blues recently finalised a £52 m deal to sign French centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, and that arrival has pushed Adarabioyo further down the defensive order at Stamford Bridge.

Even though he has made 70 appearances for the club since joining from Fulham and scored seven goals, Chelsea are prepared to approve his departure. It represents a rapid shift in circumstances for the defender, who had been a regular part of the team during his first season at the club.

Adarabioyo was once wanted by Manchester United and Chelsea

Notably, Adarabioyo had previously been at the centre of a transfer battle involving Manchester United before he ultimately chose to join Chelsea.

Looking back on his original decision to move to Stamford Bridge, the defender had said: "Once I knew Chelsea were interested, I was fully focused on that. When it came down to it, to hear the project that’s going on here, it’s amazing. It’s an amazing project, an amazing club, so for me it was a no-brainer." But with that project having shifted under Alonso, the player now appears to be surplus to requirements in west London.