Transfer News: Jose Mourinho wants to sign Manchester United star Eric Bailly
According to @JonathanShrager (via Utd District) [h/t Manchester Evening News], former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is keen on signing Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly from the Red Devils to Roma.
Eric Bailly has been at Man United for a long time now without actually establishing himself as a mainstay in the Red Devils’ defence. Whilst the 28-year-old definitely has talent, he is too injury-prone to be trusted.
Just when it looks like he is turning over a new leaf and looking to establish himself in the team with a consistent run of performances, he tends to get injured and get ruled out for a long time, disrupting his progress.
With Man United signing Lisandro Martinez this summer, Eric Bailly faces the prospect of becoming the fifth choice centre-back at the club behind the Argentinian, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
It is highly unlikely that he will get any sort of game time and at the age that he is, it could be now or never for Bailly. Hence, he could be looking for a way out of the club and Jose Mourinho appears willing to offer him one.
The former Red Devils manager who is now on the hot seat in Roma apparently wants to reunite with his former player and this could be a move that can work out well for all parties. Man United will get Bailly off their books and the player will get regular game time at Rome.
With just seven appearances across all competitions last season for Man United, it seems extremely difficult to envision a role for the Ivory Coast man under Erik ten Hag next season with the number of options available.
Although Bailly did play in the pre-season for Erik ten Hag, it does not necessarily mean that the Dutch tactician counts on him. If Roma can come in with the right price, there is no reason why Man United will not sell him.
More Manchester United News
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- Manchester United willing to let Cristiano Ronaldo leave on loan
Bailly’s time at Manchester United is a story of what could have been. Unfortunately, it appears to be reaching a premature end and both parties could go their separate ways this summer.
