Manchester United center-back Eric Bailly is looking for an exit this summer, with several clubs lining up to sign him.
Bailly has been out of action regularly for United and hence wants to leave the club in search of more minutes. While he was tipped to leave last summer itself, a move couldn’t take place for the defender.
However, Bailly has a number of offers this summer and he could be on the move. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have approached Bailly from Turkey, while Italian side Napoli is interested too.
A battle may ensue between the three for Bailly’s signature, but Napoli reportedly have an upper hand in their pursuit. Italian journalist Gianluca Vitale reports that Bailly ‘prefers’ Napoli over the Turkish clubs.
Manchester United to finally facilitate Bailly’s departure
Bailly has warming the Manchester United bench since the arrivals of stars in Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane. United’s previous managers have further preferred Victor Lindelof over Bailly in the absence of Maguire or Varane.
Further on, Bailly’s chance of impressing new manager Ten Hag too has faded away after the club have completed the signing of Ajax center-back Lisandro Martinez.
The Ivory Coast international has Napoli as his only option if he is to stay in Europe. The center-back has reportedly accepted Napoli’s proposal and could bid goodbye to Manchester United this summer.
Napoli who are set to lose Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea want Bailly to replace the 31-year-old. Baily, 28, has proved his mettle with United in the Premier League since joining them in 2015.
United signed Bailly from Villarreal for £34 million, and has so far played 113 games for the Red Devils. The defender played a crucial role in United’s 2017 Europa League triumph, also winning the League Cup the same season.
Napoli have also opened talks with Manchester United this week per multiple reports for Bailly. Vitale also claims that Napoli are exploring the option of ‘possible free loan + buy option’ for the 28-year-old.
It is now up to United to decide the structure of the deal with Napoli. Nonetheless, the Naples side is also looking to PSG’s Abdou Diallo and Fenerbahce’s Kim Min-jae in case a move for Bailly doesn’t go through.