Manchester United are reportedly keen on signing Super Eagles-eligible centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo in the summer.
Adarabioyo has been playing in the Premier League for the last three-and-a-half years since joining the Cottagers from Manchester City in October 2020. The 26-year-old joined the Manchester City academy at the age of five, and spent 18 years with the Cityzens before seeking pastures anew due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
Having been farmed out on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers, Adarabioyo decided to leave Manchester City with one year left on his contract and has since established himself as a regular at Fulham.
The defender has played over 100 games for the Cottagers, and has developed into a key player under manager Marco Silva while helping Fulham maintain their Premier League status in the last four years.
Adarabioyo has once again enjoyed an impressive campaign this term, where he has made 25 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals. His outstanding displays have led to links with some Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the latest reports suggest Manchester United have also entered the race for the centre-back’s signature. ESPN reports that Erik ten Hag’s side have identified Adarabioyo as a player who could give the club’s defence a huge lift, and will push to sign him on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The former England youth international has so far refused to sign a contract extension at Fulham, with his current deal set to end in June. Manchester United reportedly view Adarabioyo as an ideal footballer who’ll fit into the progressive style that new owner Sir Kim Ratcliffe wants to institute at the club.
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Adarabioyo was described as “fast, strong in the air and [possessing] the quality to look forward behind the line for the next pass” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola during his time with the Blues The defender is also well-known by Manchester United’s new technical director Jason Wilcox, who worked with Adarabioyo at Manchester City’s academy before joining Southampton as their director of football.
Now at Manchester United, Wilcox is set to lead the overhaul of the club’s aged and injury-prone defence, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans set to leave at the end of the season following the expiration of their contracts. The Red Devils are also said to be open to selling one of Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof, which would clear the way for new arrivals like Adarabioyo.
Meanwhile, Fulham are resigned to losing their defender after numerous attempts to sign a new deal proved futile. Adarabioyo signed a one-year contract extension in January 2023 but is determined to leave for free when his current deal expires in the summer.
Fulham boss Marco Silva recently confirmed that the defender may not be at the club next season, insisting it hasn’t been easy trying to convince him to extend his contract.