Chelsea is on the verge of finalizing its first signing under the anticipated leadership of Enzo Maresca, with Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo set to join the club. The two parties have reached a personal agreement, and the official announcement is expected soon.

Although Maresca has not yet been officially confirmed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor at Stamford Bridge, his appointment is anticipated to be announced shortly. According to Fabrizio Romano, Maresca will sign a five-year contract with Chelsea, with an option to extend for an additional year, by the end of this week.

Chelsea will reportedly pay Leicester City, whom Maresca led to the Championship title last season, a compensation fee exceeding £8.5 million.

Since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly acquired Chelsea in 2022, the club has spent over £1 billion on transfers. However, Maresca’s first signing is expected to come at no transfer fee. Romano reports that Chelsea has agreed to personal terms with 26-year-old Adarabioyo, whose contract with Fulham expires at the end of this month, making him a free agent. Chelsea will only be responsible for his wages. Adarabioyo is scheduled to undergo a medical next week before officially signing and being unveiled by Chelsea.

Newcastle United had also made efforts to sign Adarabioyo in recent weeks, but Chelsea, who will compete in the UEFA Europa Conference League next season, has won the race for his signature.

Adarabioyo, a product of Manchester City’s academy, joined Fulham in October 2020 following loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers. He briefly worked with Maresca at Manchester City when the Italian managed the club’s Elite Development Squad in the summer of 2020.

Chelsea is looking to bolster its defensive options with veteran center-back Thiago Silva leaving the club at the end of his contract and Trevoh Chalobah being linked with moves to clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.