Eric Bailly is keen on making a January switch to La Liga outfit Sevilla, who are set to make a €40 million bid to land the Manchester United star.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Eric Bailly has made his mind up over calling it quits at Manchester United in the January transfer window. Sevilla are keen on landing the Ivory Coast international this month, with the Premier League heavyweights looking to recoup the €40 million they paid to land him in 2016.
Eric Bailly was Jose Mourinho’s first signing as the Manchester United manager, arriving at Old Trafford from Villarreal a virtual unknown. But, the Ivorian made an almost instant impact, with his no-nonsense style of defending finding an admirer in the Portuguese tactician.
But, fitness troubles and poor form meant that he soon found himself out of favour with Mourinho, who sent Bailly tumbling down the pecking order. Upon Mourinho’s departure as the Manchester United boss though, it was believed things might improve for the 24-year-old.
But, that has not been the case, with caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opting for a central defensive partnership of Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones thus far. The one game in which Bailly did get a chance to make an impression ended with him being dismissed, after the Ivorian had been solid for much of the tie.
The poor challenge on Ryan Fraser would have done very little to favour Bailly’s case of becoming a regular under Solskjaer. And, his situation at Old Trafford has left the 24-year-old frustrated, with the player now keen on leaving Manchester United to return to La Liga. Sevilla are one of the clubs showing an interest.
Pablo Machin does have five centre-backs at his disposal. But, the fact that he employs a back three, coupled with injuries to key defenders over the course of the season, means that the Sevilla boss is eager to bolster his central defensive options this month.
Bailly is thus, a viable target for the La Liga outfit, who are set to table an initial offer for Manchester United to consider. The Red Devils could be open to selling the player as well, with Solskjaer deeming him surplus to requirements.
Manchester United though, want to recoup as much of the €40 million that they shelled out to land Bailly in the summer of 2016. For now, what looks highly likely is that Bailly is reaching the end of his time at Old Trafford. It now remains to be seen if Sevilla can bring the Ivory Coast international back to Spain, or if they are forced to turn their attention elsewhere.
