Manchester United missed out on defensive target Tosin Adarabioyo to Chelsea despite a late hijack bid
According to a report from The Athletic, Manchester United failed in their last-gasp attempt to hijack Chelsea’s move for Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo last week.
Tosin Adarabioyo, 26, has signed for Chelsea on a four-year contract—which begins from July 1—from rivals Fulham on a free transfer. He arrives at Chelsea after spending four seasons at Craven Cottage, where he racked up over 130 appearances across all competitions.
Manchester United had expressed their interest in the Nigerian centre-back months ago but it was Chelsea who made the early running for his signature and wrapped up the deal once Enzo Maresca was appointed as the new head coach.
The Red Devils viewed Tosin Adarabioyo as a cheap alternative to some of the other names on their defensive wishlist to fill the spot vacated by Raphael Varane, The Athletic reports. LOSC Lille’s Leny Yoro and OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo feature as the right-sided centre-back targets in the club’s list, but the French duo will not come cheaply.
This means Manchester United perhaps have to scour the market longer and harder to find a quality defensive option as reasonable as Tosin. As a free agent with Premier League experience, the 26-year-old was identified as a key target by our club’s hierarchy.
Thus, missing out on the Nigeria international is a big blow to the Red Devils, who faced a defensive crisis last season. Erik ten Hag had to chop and change personnel at the back due to persistent injury problems, which largely hampered our progress and resulted in an eighth-place finish in the Premier League.
A central defender is an absolute necessity to fill the void left by Varane. However, with Lisandro Martinez’s injury struggles, Jonny Evans well past his prime at 36 and the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof still in doubt, we may sign two centre-backs before the 2024/25 campaign commences.
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It goes without saying that getting Tosin in on a Bosman transfer from Fulham would have helped the club allocate funds towards strengthening other key areas of the pitch. It remains to be seen how our club reacts to the blow and shifts their focus towards when signing a replacement for Varane.
