Tottenham Hotspur’s quest for defensive reinforcements has hit a snag, with Tosin Adarabioyo reportedly turning down their opening offer, according to journalist Paul O Keefe.
The Fulham centre-back is available on a free transfer this summer and has become a hot commodity with several European clubs lining up to secure his services.
The details of their initial proposal have not been revealed, but Spurs cannot afford to take no for an answer from the towering English centre-back.
Adarabioyo’s consistent performances for Fulham have earned him an average Sofascore rating of 7.02 this season.
His durability is a bonus, having missed just 12 games since joining the Cottagers from Manchester City in 2020.
Since returning from a groin surgery, Adarabioyo has been a mainstay in Marco Silva’s starting line-up, contributing two goals in 20 Premier League appearances.
Aside from his modest attacking returns, his hugely impressive defensive prowess makes him a valuable target for Spurs.
In addition to keeping six clean sheets, the Englishman averages 1.3 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 2.2 ball recoveries and 4.0 clearances per match.
The towering centre-half is unsurprisingly dominant in the air, evidenced by his 67% success rate in aerial duels.
He also boasts a solid 53% success rate in ground duels and excels in dictating play from the heart of the defence, averaging 70.3 touches per match.
For a club like Spurs striving to close the gap on the top four and compete for silverware, landing a player of Adarabioyo’s calibre is a no-brainer.
The initial offer might not have been enough, but Tottenham can’t afford to throw in the towel.
Negotiations must resume, and a more compelling proposal needs to be presented to snap up the coveted defender.
Stats from Sofascore.com.
