Manchester United handed Tosin Adarabioyo transfer 'advantage' thanks to new appointment

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

The defender, whose contract expires this summer, has been attracting a lot of interest. However, his previous connection with Wilcox at Manchester City might give United an edge in the negotiations.

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

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The former England youth international moved to Fulham from City, where he was under Wilcox's tutelage in the academy, for £2m in 2020. Despite only playing a few first-team games for Pep Guardiola's side and never featuring in the Premier League, he has flourished in London.

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

Given the defensive issues plaguing Erik ten Hag's underperforming team, it's no surprise they're 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, having failed to agree on a new contract. He stated: "Tosin has to be clear about his future when he decides to be clear about his future, and he has to talk about it.

"Of course we are here to try to prepare as best we can the future of the football club. We haven't hidden that situation that we try to renew with him, not just him but other players near the end of their contracts and it's not been easy.

"Probably his future is not going to be at the club any more. About that situation, if one day Tosin wants to speak he's going to speak."