Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race for Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo as Unai Emery looks to rebuild his backline with Ezri Konsa preparing to finalise a move to Arsenal. The reported interest comes as Villa continue to reshape the squad after already sanctioning the exits of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne.
Adarabioyo, 28, joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Fulham in 2024, but he has struggled to secure a regular starting place at Stamford Bridge. He was recently shifted to No.38 and was also left out of Chelsea’s squad for the final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad, which has only added to the sense that his role in west London is uncertain.
That situation has opened the door for Villa, who are looking for defensive cover before Konsa’s expected departure. For Emery, the priority is clear: keep the squad stable enough to handle a busy campaign while replacing proven Premier League experience at the back. Adarabioyo would fit that brief, especially with Villa already having spent significantly on Johan Manzambi, Zion Suzuki and Joao Gomes in other areas.
Why the move matters
The reported chase matters because Villa are not just adding depth; they are trying to manage a broader defensive reset. Konsa has been an important part of the side, so any exit would leave a notable gap in the starting line-up. Adarabioyo is one option, but the club are also said to be considering AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori as an alternative target.
That gives Villa a clear shortlist, and it also shows how quickly the market can move when a key defender is set to leave. Arsenal’s interest in Konsa is being driven by injury concerns for William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, which is part of why Villa are now having to plan ahead.
For now, the focus is on whether Villa can turn interest into a deal. If Konsa does move on, Emery will want an experienced replacement in place quickly, and Adarabioyo has now become one of the names to watch.
