Aston Villa have identified Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa as the England international closes in on a £51million move to Arsenal.
Villa are preparing to lose one of their most important defenders just before the new Premier League season, and Chelsea could now become directly involved in the transfer domino.
Sky Sports reports that Arsenal have agreed a £51m deal for Konsa and that Villa have an interest in Tosin as a potential replacement.
talkSPORT has also reported that Tosin is on Villa’s list alongside former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori.
Excl. #AstonVilla have an interest in Tosin at #Chelseafc as one of their potential replacement options for Ezri Konsa, who looks #Arsenalfc bound. More on @SkySportsNews and https://t.co/kIG3YOVPaK #avfc #cfc pic.twitter.com/av9MkxLL1s
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 19, 2026
Tosin Adarabioyo Chelsea exit gains Premier League route
Tosin’s future had already become increasingly uncertain at Stamford Bridge.
ReadChelsea reported that the 28-year-old lost his No.4 squad number amid interest from Marseille and Benfica, with new signing Valentin Barco taking the shirt and Tosin switching to No.38.
Villa’s emergence creates a very different possibility.
Rather than moving abroad, Tosin could remain in the Premier League and join a club looking for an immediate replacement for a proven England international.
Konsa’s departure would leave Unai Emery needing to reshape his defensive options quickly, potentially making experience particularly attractive.
For Chelsea, another serious suitor could help Xabi Alonso continue reducing an overloaded centre-back department.
The Blues are already working on exits elsewhere. Axel Disasi is closing in on a Premier League move, while Benoit Badiashile has also been heading towards the exit.
Tosin joining Villa would represent another significant step in that process.
There is no suggestion yet that Villa have submitted an offer or entered advanced negotiations with Chelsea.
Their interest, however, gives Tosin another credible route away from Stamford Bridge at precisely the moment Villa are preparing to bank £51m from Konsa’s move to Arsenal.
Chelsea may now have another decision to make over one of Alonso’s remaining centre-backs.
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