Super Eagles target nears N12b move as Tottenham, Chelsea end 17-year transfer silence

Tosin Adarabioyo is closing in on a move from Chelsea to Tottenham Hotspur after the two London clubs reached an agreement over a permanent transfer, Soccernet.ng reports.

Tottenham have agreed to pay about £7m (approx N12.7 billion) plus add-ons for the 28-year-old centre-back, according to WAGNH. Adarabioyo has also agreed personal terms and has been given permission to have his medical before the move can be completed. The deal is being completed on transfer deadline day, with the Premier League window closing at 11pm BST on Tuesday, 1 September.

The move is a rare piece of direct transfer business between Chelsea and Tottenham. The clubs have been fierce London rivals for decades, and the last first-team player to move directly between them was goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

Cudicini left Chelsea for Tottenham on a free transfer in January 2009 after almost 10 years at Stamford Bridge. Adarabioyo's move therefore comes more than 17 years after Cudicini crossed London.

Why Tottenham want Adarabioyo

The deal has been linked to a major change in Tottenham's defence. Spurs have already lost captain Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid and are now close to sending Kevin Danso to Sunderland. Danso had asked to leave Tottenham after finding his position under Roberto De Zerbi less secure following the arrival of other defenders.

Adarabioyo, who was previously linked to Italy's Como, offers Tottenham a right-footed centre-back with Premier League experience. He stands at about 1.97m and has built his career around his strength in the air and his ability to play the ball from defence.

Chelsea signed him from Fulham in 2024 after his contract at Craven Cottage ended. The Blues gave him a four-year contract, with the club describing him as an experienced Premier League defender.

His Chelsea spell has not developed as he would have wanted. The defender has struggled to secure a regular starting place, and his position became less certain after Chelsea added more options at centre-back during the summer. He had not started either of Chelsea's opening league matches this season. The Tottenham move could give him a fresh opportunity under De Zerbi.

Adarabioyo was born in Paddington, London, on 24 September 1997, but grew up in Manchester. He joined Manchester City's academy at the age of five and progressed through the club's youth system.

His senior debut came at Stamford Bridge in February 2016, when City faced Chelsea in the FA Cup. He later had Championship loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers before joining Fulham permanently in 2020. He spent four seasons at Fulham and became an established Premier League defender before Chelsea moved for him.

Adarabioyo was born to Nigerian parents and has spoken openly about the influence of his family and Nigerian culture. He visited Nigeria recently and took part in youth football activities in Lagos, after which he visited the Lagos State governor. That background has made him a long-standing target of interest from Super Eagles supporters.

Adarabioyo played for England from Under-16 through Under-19 level and won 14 youth caps. However, he has never played for the senior England team. His youth appearances do not prevent him from representing Nigeria at senior level.

His international future, however, is not yet officially settled. In March 2026, Adarabioyo said he would be delighted to play for Nigeria, while making clear that his club career was his immediate priority.

If the Tottenham move is completed, Adarabioyo will enter a new phase of his career with a club that needs defensive depth. At the same time, his improved club position could give Nigeria another experienced Premier League defender to consider if he eventually commits to the Super Eagles.