Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Tosin Adarabioyo - as the Fulham defender has reportedly made his 'final decision' on his future.

The former Manchester City star, who moved to Craven Cottage in 2020, is set to leave at the end of the season. Adarabioyo, with nearly 100 Premier League appearances under his belt, is a seasoned defender in England's top tier. However, the 26-year-old is expected to depart Fulham when his current contract expires, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Despite earning £47,000 per week, Adarabioyo has not signed a new deal with Fulham. It is understood that the club and player had been in contract discussions, but with less than a month left in the 2023/24 season, Adarabioyo has decided to move on.

Tottenham, who have shown interest in Adarabioyo in the past, could be one of his potential destinations. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has expressed his desire to bolster his defensive options in the upcoming summer transfer window.

In a discussion back in March, Postecoglou highlighted the team's ambitions, stating: "I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we'll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that's already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment."

Tottenham could find themselves landing a bargain in Adarabioyo, as they won't be required to pay a hefty transfer fee for his services. Despite this advantage, Spurs are expected to face a tough battle for his signature, with Manchester United also showing interest.

Moreover, Adarabioyo seems to be the type of player that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group aim to recruit for United. Although he may not immediately become a first-choice for Erik ten Hag, Adarabioyo's status as a homegrown talent aligns with Ratcliffe's vision.

Earlier reports suggest that Ratcliffe and INEOS intend to focus on nurturing homegrown talent, aiming to restore the Red Devils to their former glory both domestically and in Europe. Ratcliffe is reportedly keen on building a squad with a strong British core, reminiscent of the successful eras under Sir Alex Ferguson.

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