Newcastle United transfer news as Tosin Adarabioyo favours Mags over Manchester United move

Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is understood to favour a move to Newcastle United this summer as the centre-back readies himself to depart Craven Cottage. Out of contract at the end of the season, several clubs have been courting the former Manchester City youth player in recent months including Chelsea and Manchester United, with Newcastle understood to be among those to have shown their interest.

While nothing has been agreed and other clubs remain in the hunt to pick up one of the Premier League's best free agents this summer, it's now being reported Adarabioyo favours a move to St James' Park. Newcastle need to strengthen their defensive ranks during the transfer window with Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman both out with long-term injuries, and Eddie Howe eager to bring in new faces to freshen up his line-up and increase his options.

Now 26-years-old and with a great deal of Premier League experience behind him, Adarabioyo is an ideal addition as a free agent and allows Howe and the board more freedom in terms of transfer spending during the window. The Mags continue to be linked with a deal for another free agent in Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, who in a very similar situation is also being courted by a number of clubs ahead of the transfer window opening.

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Newcastle boss Howe has already warned he will not shirk tough decisions this summer when it comes to his squad, with the manager working under a tight budget constraint due to Financial Fair Play, with these free agent deals a key component of that.

"It has to be part of your role as a manager," said Howe this week. "You have to make decisions for the football club - not for the individuals." Those decisions are already being prepared to allow Newcastle to have some spending power this summer, with the club keen to act early and secure the likes of Kelly and Adarabioyo before rivals act first.