Man Utd ‘close’ to signing Premier League outcast as talks for surprising transfer enter ‘advanced stage’ | OneFootball

Man Utd are reportedly ‘close’ to signing Fulham outcast Kevin Mbabu as the club look to recruit a new right-back to cover for Diogo Dalot.

The Red Devils have already secured one surprising transfer this month as Wout Weghorst has joined the club on loan from Championship outfit Burnley.

Signing a striker was always going to be a priority for Man Utd this month after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club back in November when his contract was mutually terminated.

Weghorst is thought to be a temporary solution until the summer as United will likely sign a long-term Ronaldo replacement for a sizable fee. Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are among the players they are being linked with.

Man Utd also have an issue to resolve at right-back. Dalot has been Erik ten Hag’s preferred player in that position this season and he has been in stunning form.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka meanwhile has been left down the pecking order and he has only come into the team in recent weeks with Dalot unavailable.

The former Crystal Palace academy product has performed well and this is said to have forced Ten Hag into a U-turn with him now keen to keep Wan-Bissaka this month.

Though Wan-Bissaka is keen to play regularly and his situation may change again if he drops back down the pecking order before the January transfer window closes.

With that, Man Utd should be keeping an eye on the market for a right-back just in case Wan-Bissaka’s situation turns sour.

Now Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb are reporting that the Red Devils have gone under the radar and are ‘close’ to signing Mbabu from Fulham.

The report notes that Serie A side Monza are also interested in him but Man Utd have moved into an ‘advanced negotiation phase’ in the last few hours.

The 27-year-old previously had an unsuccessful spell at Newcastle United. He has played for Young Boys and Wolfsburg in recent seasons but he signed for Fulham in the summer for around £6.5m.

Speaking about the signing at the time, club owner Tony Khan said: “I’m very happy that we’ve been able to bring Kevin Mbabu to Fulham. Kevin is a player whom we’ve pursued for several years.

“He brings great physical tools to our Club in addition to his vast experience, and he’s determined to prove himself in the Premier League, so we believe that he’ll be a great addition to Marco’s squad, and we’re very excited about his arrival.”

But his transfer to Fulham has not gone to plan. His last start for the club in the Premier League came at the start of October as Marco Silva dragged him off at half-time in their 4-1 loss to Newcastle.

The Switzerland international has not exactly set the world alight in the Premier League for Fulham or Newcastle but – like Weghorst – he may be a sensible option for United on a temporary basis until the summer if Wan-Bissaka moves on.

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