Manchester United have given Tosin Adarabioyo a transfer “head start” thanks to his new appointment

Manchester United could be in the driving seat to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham thanks to their new technical director Jason Wilcox.

The defender, whose contract expires this summer, has attracted a lot of interest. However, his previous link with Wilcox at Manchester City could give United an advantage in negotiations.

The 26-year-old is expected to be available on a free transfer, with Newcastle, Chelsea and Tottenham all said to be interested. Adarabioyo has made 20 Premier League appearances this season and according to ESPN, United are also hoping to secure him.

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The former England youth international moved to Fulham from City, where he was under Wilcox’s academy tutelage, for £2m in 2020. Despite making just a handful of first-team appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side and never played in the Premier League, he flourished in London.

United are currently looking for a new centre-back amid uncertainty surrounding Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

Given the defensive issues plaguing Erik ten Hag’s underperforming side, it is no surprise that they are looking to strengthen their backline and Adarabioyo is seen as someone who could improve their shaky defence.

Fulham manager Marco Silva has confirmed that Adarabioyo is likely to leave the club at the end of the season, failing to agree a new contract. He stated: “Tosin needs to be clear about his future when he decides to be clear about his future and he needs to talk about it.

“Of course we are here to try to prepare as well as we can the future of the football club. We have not hidden that situation that we are trying to renew with him, not only him but also other players near the end of their contracts and it was not Easy.

“Probably his future will no longer be at the club. About this situation, if one day Tosin wants to talk, he will.”