Aniket Rai
Transfer News: Manchester United could sign another defender if Eric Bailly leaves
According to transfer news from Manchester Evening News (h/t Express), Manchester United are open to scouring the market for another defender if Eric Bailly departs this summer.
The report mentions that Bailly is showing a ‘tentative interest’ in an exit, which is mainly due to Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane arguably laying claim as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting centre-backs this season.
United should look to keep the 27-year-old Ivorian at Old Trafford. Bailly, who represented Cote d’Ivoire in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, can still have a role to play in the squad.
Phil Jones is devoid of any regular game-time recently owing to a long-term injury and is linked with a move away from the club this summer. Victor Lindelof hasn’t been a consistent performer under Solskjaer either.
Time to bid goodbailly?
In such a scenario, places are up for grabs for when the Norwegian wants to rotate his team or even want someone to compete with Maguire and Varane for starts. Of course, it will be tough for Bailly to pip the star duo in the pecking order.
But for the club, having Bailly would be far more beneficial in terms of squad depth than seeing him leave this summer. Moreover, there would then be the added headache of finding a potential replacement with not long left in the window.
The defender was also offered a new contract earlier in April, that keeps him at the club until at least 2024. While that shows United’s trust in the player, it can also help them if they do want to part ways with him.
More Manchester United News:
- Manchester United have received a response from Tottenham in regards to signing Harry Kane this summer
- Transfer News: PSG are set to end their interest in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba
- Dimitar Berbatov urges Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make one more addition to his Manchester United squad
With three years left on his contract, the Red Devils would assume a strong position in negotiations considering he won’t become a free agent anytime soon. Nevertheless, it makes more sense to keep him than sell him so late in the transfer window.
