Liverpool blow as Man Utd gain CRUCIAL advantage in race for outstanding free transfer | OneFootball

Manchester United have been handed a crucial advantage in any race for the reported Liverpool centre-back target, Fulham star Tosin Adarabioyo.

The Red Devils’ new technical director, Jason Wilcox, spent 11 years with Manchester City, rising from academy coach, to under-18s manager and eventually becoming academy director.

The former Blackburn Rovers winger decamped for Southampton in 2023 to take up a role as director of football on the south coast.

During his time with the Saints, he had plenty of contact with City regarding some of their highly-promising academy talents.

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Shea Charles arrived at St Mary’s from City while young goalkeeper Josh McNamara also came through the door. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, meanwhile, was added on loan.

He could opt to use those City links once again in order to bag his new side a bargain free transfer this summer.

Man Utd director Wilcox knows Tosin well

Tosin, 26, has established himself as one of the most consistent centre backs in the Premier League this season for Fulham, earning the plaudits as well as links to the likes of Liverpool Tottenham, Newcastle and AC Milan.

The Man City academy graduate is out of contract this summer with a bidding war in store for his signature.

Wilcox formerly managed and mentored the defender during his time at the Etihad Campus, meaning he may well have the inside line on what could be Tosin’s next move.

Tosin was on City’s books from 2003 to 2020 without ever making the breakthrough into the first team. Instead he spent time on loan with West Brom and Blackburn Rovers, and has now amassed over 200 senior games.

Although Fulham are planning to offer the centre back another contract, it’s widely expected that he will leave for pastures new this summer.

Liverpool and Man Utd planning centre back overhaul

And Liverpool are in the market for a centre back with Joel Matip out of contract and long-term fitness concerns over Ibrahima Konate.

Tosin would represent a bargain option, compared to other players linked to the Reds such as Willian Pacho, Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande.

But with a familiar face now in place at Old Trafford, Tosin could opt to move back to his home city, albeit to the other side of the divide.

United, for their part, are also seeking to overhaul their centre back department. Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are set to leave at the end of their contracts with long-term question marks over the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

With the club concerned over their FFP limits, adding Tosin on a free would be a shrewd deal.

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