Kevin Mbabu has had a forgettable time at Fulham so far (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are close to signing Fulham full-back Kevin Mbabu in a surprise deal, according to reports in Italy.

The 27-year-old only signed for Fulham in the summer in a £6m from Wolfsburg, but has failed to establish himself in west London, starting just one Premier League game so far.

The Switzerland international signed a three-year contract with the Cottagers, but Sky Sports report that Fulham are already willing to listen to offers for him.

Italian publication TuttoMercatoWeb report that Manchester United are interested in taking advantage of the situation and have even begun negotiations for the Swiss defender.

The report from Italy suggests that Monza were very interested in Mbabu, but have been put off pursuing him by United’s own move for him.

The full-back signed for Newcastle back in 2013 but never really got a chance to impress, returning to Switzerland with Young Boys, first on loan in 2016 and then permanently the following year.

He made a name for himself there, and then at Wolfsburg from 2019 before returning to England with Fulham last summer, but in both stints in the Premier League so far he has made no impression at all.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been thought to want another right-back in his squad, with Diogo Dalot first choice but the Portuguese star currently struggling with injury.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been back in the first team in Dalot’s absence, and despite playing well, his United future remains uncertain after falling down the pecking order under Ralf Rangnick and now Ten Hag.

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