Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox is reportedly close to joining Manchester United and Fabrizio Romano has supplied an update on this saga.
Rumours have been floating around recently surrounding the future of Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox.
Those reports intensified on Monday as news emerged that Man United had approached the Saints for his services.
The news of his potential departure was badly timed, emerging in the aftermath of their 3-2 defeat against Ipswich Town on Easter Monday, effectively ending the Saints’ automatic promotion hopes.
When asked about the news after the game, Russell Martin responded bullishly, claiming: “Jason’s been great for us, if he leaves he leaves”.
Martin instead wanted to focus on the disappointing result, but there is no doubt that Wilcox would be a huge loss to the South Coasters.
Fabrizio Romano shares the latest on Jason Wilcox to Man Utd
With United keen on luring Wilcox out of St Marys, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has guaranteed that the 53-year-old will become the new Technical Director at Old Trafford.
“I can guarantee to you once again that Jason Wilcox will be the new Technical Director of Manchester United,” Romano wrote on his Daily Briefing substack. “The agreement between Jason Wilcox and Man United is in place and Jason Wilcox has informed Southampton about his desire to join Man United.
“The structure will include Omar Berrada as the new CEO and then Dan Ashworth.
“Now it’s time to understand about the compensation fee and the timing between Southampton and Man United to make the Wilcox deal happen, but he’s already resigned.”
Jason Wilcox will be a huge loss to Southampton
Wilcox spent several successful years at Manchester City as academy director, overseeing the development of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer at Man City.
The ex-England winger left his post at the Etihad in January 2023 to rebuild the Saints and he’s since been influential in bringing a number of talented City youngsters to the club.
Saints signed Shea Charles and Taylor Harwood-Bellis last summer, while Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios previously made the same journey across from City.
Wilcox has helped Southampton carry out a successful transfer strategy, using his contacts to poach some of the best young talents from his former club while hitting the jackpot with several senior players.
The signing of Flynn Downes on loan from West Ham last summer and the January arrivals of Joe Rothwell and David Brooks have all happened under the watchful eye of Wilcox.
It is clear that, while his departure won’t be detrimental, he will be a huge loss to the club and Southampton need to replace him quickly so they can draw up their list of transfer targets this summer.