'My decision' - Newcastle United target omitted from squad ahead of summer transfer

Tosin Adarabioyo was left out of Fulham’s matchday squad against Crystal Palace on Saturday as he edges closer to the Craven Cottage exit door.

The 26-year-old had started his side's last nine Premier League games but reports this week have claimed the defender has rejected the Cottagers’ latest contract offer and will therefore leave on a free transfer this summer.

Adarabioyo is being considered by Newcastle United, while the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are also understood to be interested.

Asked if Fulham supporters had seen the last of the centre-back, manager Marco Silva replied: "He can play. We have three games to play. if I decided he would be on the pitch he would be. It will be my decision always.

"I'm looking for the present. I want to win football matches and be as competitive as we can be. At the same time, we have to prepare for the future of the football club."

Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Kenny Tete also have contracts expiring at the end of the campaign. Silva had previously confirmed that talks were underway with those players, along with Adarabioyo.

He said: “Three different things [situations], or two that are different. With Kenny, we have an option in his contract. We keep speaking with his agent, but the option is there any time we want to trigger it.

“That’s a different situation than the other two, who are at the end of their contracts. The reality, and what I can say to you now, [is] we are speaking with them and their agents. What we try to do is to have them with us. Our ambition, and what we want, is to have them with us next season again.”

Adarabioyo has made 132 appearances for Fulham, 78 of which have come in the Premier League, since joining from Manchester City in 2020.

Newcastle’s search for a new central defender comes after both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles were ruled out until late 2024 with ACL injuries.