Newcastle United closing in on second summer signing after triggering £28m clause

Newcastle United are closing in on their second summer signing.

After triggering a permanent £28million deal for Lewis Hall, Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has turned to the free agent market to help further bolster his defence.

And it’s understood a breakthrough is close, with United emerging as clear favourites to sign Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 26-year-old is out-of-contract this summer and has recently turned down the Cottagers’ latest offer. Indeed, manager Marco Silva is already planning for life without the centre-back having left him out of the squad for the last three matches.

Adarabioyo is likely to have played his last game for Fulham having made 132 appearances in total. Adarabioyo moved to Craven Cottage in 2020 after coming through the youth ranks at Manchester City.

The ball-playing defender has been linked with several clubs - including the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United - but Newcastle, as it stands, look set to win the race following latest talks.

As per Mail Sport, Adarabioyo values the ambition of Newcastle and has been impressed by Howe and the project presented to him.

Meanwhile, the Magpies remain interested in signing AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, who is also out-of-contract at the end of the campaign.

Kelly - signed by Howe from Bristol City in 2019 - has appeared 140 times for the Cherries and was captain when they were promoted back to the Premier League in 2021-22.

But the 25-year-old isn’t short of potential suitors with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United also vying for his signature.

When asked about the free agent earlier this month, Howe told NewcastleWorld: “We're exploring every market. Everything that we can that we feel benefits us. We're not necessarily looking at the free transfer market in isolation, we're looking at every option and every theme. I wouldn't say it's exclusive. 

“We're trying to do good business. We're not trying to excessively spend money, that'll be the same as long as I'm here. We're looking for players we feel that are worth the money that clubs potentially put on their heads. But as I say, it's not exclusive to any theme, we're always looking for good deals.