Former Chelsea academy product Fikayo Tomori, who left London back in 2021, could soon inflict a hefty financial blow on his old club.
According to insider Fabrizio Romano, Portuguese side Benfica are actively searching for a central defender to replace the departed Antonio Silva and have made an official inquiry regarding Tomori's transfer from AC Milan.
The transfer dilemma
The main issue for Chelsea lies in the fact that Tosin Adarabioyo has been high on Benfica's priority list:
- Alternative choice: The Portuguese club requires just one central defender, and if they opt for Tomori, a deal for Adarabioyo could fall through.
- Price tag: Chelsea were hoping to recoup at least £15 million from the sale of 28-year-old Adarabioyo, which would positively reflect on their Financial Fair Play reports given he is set to leave Fulham on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
The journalist discussed Benfica's interest in the Englishman on his YouTube channel:
A few days ago, Benfica requested information from Tomori's agents. As of now, his salary demands are quite high. However, following Antonio Silva's departure, Benfica is keen on securing a central defender, and Tomori is among the candidates.
If Benfica can reach an agreement with Milan and meet Tomori's demands, Chelsea will need to urgently seek new buyers for Adarabioyo before the summer window closes.
