Varun Pai
Newcastle United are eyeing a deal to sign Manchester United ace Eric Bailly in January
According to the Northern Echo (h/t Metro), Manchester United ace Eric Bailly is set to be targeted by Newcastle United in January.
The atmosphere is incredible at St. James’ Park after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired the club. The takeover implies that Newcastle have the richest owners in the world now, who have assets worth nearly £320billion.
In fact, they are going to make no hesitation in putting that money to good use soon. Newcastle United director Amanda Staveley has already hinted that the squad is going to be strengthened soon, and plans are being plotted by the day.
Defensive reinforcements are one of the priorities, and Burnley centre-half James Tarkowski is being targeted for the same, and it seems ‘likely’ that he will join. But he is not the only centre-back Newcastle are said to have their eye on.
Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly is also being touted as one of the options to strengthen the club’s backline, according to Northern Echo (h/t The Metro).
The Ivorian is yet to start a Premier League game this season and has seen his game-time being restricted since Raphael Varane arrived at the club earlier this summer. Although he was playing in a deputized role last season, Victor Lindelof and Bailly shared a lot of the game-time.
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However, the 29-year-old made it clear in May itself that he would push for a move out of Old Trafford if he was receiving minimal game-time. Given that Lindelof has featured for the club when Maguire or Varane have not been available, it remains to be seen where Bailly fits in.
Thus, a January deal is being plotted by the Magpies but it remains to be seen whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be open to letting one of his centre-halves leave the club mid-season.
