Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham are reportedly eyeing a loan move for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.
According to Sky Sports, Fulham have now entered the race to sign out-of-favour Manchester United defender Eric Bailly. The newly-promoted Premier League side are eager to strengthen in multiple positions and see Bailly as an upgrade on the options they currently have.
Bailly arrived at Old Trafford in the 2016 summer transfer window from Villarreal, but injuries have heavily hampered his time in Manchester. Though Bailly has shown flashes of brilliance, he has been injury-prone, forcing the Manchester United managers he has played under to use other available options.
The arrivals of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane have sent Bailly further down the pecking order. In the recently-concluded season, the Ivory Coast international played just seven matches for the club across competitions to get to a total of 113 appearances for the Red Devils.
However, with Manchester United now in pursuit of another central defender, Bailly’s game time will take a further blow. And with two years remaining on his contract with United, he could be approaching the end of his time at Old Trafford.
The Premier League giants are reportedly ready to sell the 28-year-old defender and want around €10-12 million for him. Fulham, however, are looking out for an initial loan deal with an option to buy him permanently next summer.
Bailly is keen to leave Manchester United in search of more game time, which could facilitate an exit. But the Red Devils and Fulham will first need to agree on terms of a transfer, permanent or temporary. The Cottagers have initiated talks with Manchester United and have enquired about his availability.
Newcastle United, Marseille, Lyon and even Barcelona have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old this summer. So Manchester United will most likely have enough potential suitors for the maverick defender.
Manchester United are currently believed to be in a transfer tug-of-war with Arsenal for Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez. The Premier League heavyweights are in advanced negotiations for the Argentine international and confident of completing the deal.
