Aheed Abrar
Olympique Marseille looking to avoid the permanent transfer of Eric Bailly from Manchester United
Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Marseille are looking to avoid the permanent transfer of Eric Bailly from Manchester United at the end of the season, according to L’Equipe (h/t The Sun).
The Ivory Coast international joined the French giants in the summer of 2022 on loan. However, the centre-back’s deal included a £6.2 million obligation to buy for Les Phoceens.
But the option will only be triggered in case two objectives are met. Firstly, Igor Tudor’s team need to qualify for the Champions League. The second is the 28-year-old’s involvement in 19 league matches.
At the moment, Marseille are on course to qualify for the UCL. Les Phoceens are second in the French top flight, 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the table.
However, Bailly has not featured much for Tudor’s team in the current campaign. So far, the Ivorian has played in just 10 Ligue 1 matches, starting in just four.
The 28-year-old made his way to United in the summer of 2016 from Villarreal. After a decent debut season in Manchester, injuries hampered the defender’s time at the Old Trafford side.
Over the years, the Red Devils have signed the likes of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Erik ten Hag has counted on the two World Cup winners as the most used centre-back duo this term.
Tudor ‘has lost confidence‘ in Bailly. If the Ivorian were to return to United at the end of the campaign, the defender would have another year left on his contract.
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The Old Trafford side have enough depth in the backline. Therefore, we seemingly do not need the 28-year-old at the club. However, it remains to be seen whether the centre-back will remain at Marseille or will return to Manchester.
