'Medical today' as Newcastle United snubbed, Arsenal & Chelsea eye 18-goal ace as £73m man holds Man Utd talks

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is close to landing his first signing at Stamford Bridge in the form of Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 26-year-old’s medical is expected to be completed today with the signing being officially announced later this week.

Adarabioyo has chosen to remain in West London despite holding key transfer talks with Newcastle United, who were originally the frontrunners to sign the defender. Romano tweeted: “Tosin Adarabioyo, completing his medical today at Chelsea — as planned, all taking place and being signed this week. He’s joining #CFC as free agent as exclusively revealed last week. Here we go, confirmed.”

Arsenal & Chelsea battle for Bundesliga record-breaker

Chelsea have been one of the busiest clubs in recent transfer windows under owner Todd Boehly and that trend shows no signs of changing this summer as the Blues eye a move for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian striker, who is likely to line-up against England in Euro 2024 this summer, has been in devastating form this season with 18 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions. Earlier this season he became the youngest ever player to score in seven consecutive Bundesliga games at 20 years and 353 days.

The 21-year-old is renowned for his physicality at 6ft5 but is also blessed with tremendous pace and technique. The youngster, who scored 16 goals in 30 games at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Germany, was the catalyst for his country’s qualification for Euro 2024 with five goals in qualifying. Overall, he has 11 goals in 28 caps at international level.

He is seen as a viable option for the Blues to compete with Nicolas Jackson and Christian Nkunku, but is also a major target for Arsenal who are in the market for a clinical finisher to take the team to the next level as they chase a first league title in 21 years.The Standard understands that Sesko has a release clause of £56m in his contract which has not deterred either London club from pushing for the deal.

£73m man holds crucial Man Utd talks

After missing out on Champions League glory in the final, Jadon Sancho will return to Manchester United after a largely successful loan spell in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

The England winger, signed for £73m in 2021, was involved in a high-profile and public feud with manager Erik Ten Hag involving his conduct in training when he was omitted from the squad to play for Arsenal. Ten Hag claimed the wingers' levels had not met his expectation, while Sancho hit back, stating that his manager had used him as a ‘scapegoat’ for too long.

Sancho was banished from the Manchester United squad between August and January before making the move back to Germany and faces an uncertain future heading into pre-season.

ESPN claims the winger will hold key talks with technical director Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves to discuss the 24-year-old’s future.

Borussia Dortmund are keen to re-sign the player, but would only be willing to discuss another loan deal, Sancho is currently under contract until 2026, and it is likely that his future will depend on whether Ten Hag stays or leaves Old Trafford this summer.