Centre-back signing looks a certainty for Fulham in summer transfer window

Fulham will have at least one centre-back on their summer shopping list.

The Whites will lose Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer this summer after he rejected new terms.

The former Manchester City youngster is set to sign for Newcastle United and has not been selected for the west London club’s last three Premier League matches.

Fulham look weaker without Adarabioyo partnering Calvin Bassey in the middle of their defence.

Issa Diop, Adarabioyo’s replacement in Marco Silva’s side, played well in the 0-0 draw at Brentford but found Saturday’s
4-0 defeat to Manchester City a mixed bag.

The ex-West Ham United man made a couple of key blocks but was also too static for Josko Gvardiol’s opening goal at Craven Cottage and then was sent off very late on for two bookable offences after his clumsy challenge on Julian Alvarez, who converted the subsequenct penalty.

Diop will miss Sunday’s finale at Luton Town with veteran American Tim Ream, 36, expected to start.

Fulham’s misfire in the run-in has killed off any hopes of a challenge for a top-10 finish.

Their only victory in the last nine matches was 2-0 at a West Ham United side who had played a few days earlier against Bayer Leverkusen and had the return leg to come.

It is now successive blanks and Rodrigo Muniz, who won the Premier League Player of the Month for March, has scored just once in his seven matches, the 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace.

Eight of his 10 goals came in a red-hot two month streak starting in February and the frontline is another area which will need strengthening in the next window.

PICTURE: PA