Fulham are in the market for two centre-backs with Tosin Adarabioyo leaving this summer, manager Marco Silva has confirmed.

The Cottagers have earmarked “three or four” key positions which need to be strengthened during the summer transfer market, with centre-back chief among them.

Adarabioyo has been a key player for Silva this season but has not played since last month confirming privately his decision to leave on a free at the end of the season.

Newcastle United are in pole position to sign him, but Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan and others have also enquired about the player.

His exit will leave Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey and Tim Ream as the club’s only senior centre-backs, and Silva has confirmed reinforcements will be signed.

“100 per cent, and probably not just one,” he said. “Probably we are going to look for two [centre-backs]. It’s not the only one, but one of the positions [we need].”

Asked if the centre-back additions will be to increase competition or as players intended to slot straight into his starting line-up, Silva said: “I don’t sign players to start or to be on the bench. We sign players to be Fulham players. After that, whether they are starters depends on them and what they show every single day.

“When we sign players, we always think that he can be a starting XI player. If not, it doesn’t make sense to sign him. We are going to lose a player in that area of the pitch. We are 100 per cent in the market in that position. We are going to clearly sign a player who is ready to play.

“We are going to lose a starting XI player. If you want to improve, you have to sign a player at least at the same level.”

The Fulham manager added: “Sometimes if you change too much, it’s not a good sign. For next season, we have three or four target positions that we want to clearly, clearly improve.”