Manchester United are reportedly ready to sell Eric Bailly for just £17m this summer, amid claims a regular purchaser of their unwanted stars has joined the race.
The former Villarreal defender has 14 months left on his present contract with United, but despite talks over a new deal, Bailly seems unlikely to commit himself. The centre-back is understood to be frustrated at his lack of game time and his representatives are making his feelings known in the media.
And with United prioritising the signing of a new defender this summer, it seems Bailly’s days at Old Trafford are drawing to a close. Indeed, United have been strongly linked with Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic, who wants to come to England. There’s also strong whispers about a swoop for a Premier League man recommended by Harry Maguire.
Bailly has also been touted as a potential makeweight in a deal to bring Pau Torres to Old Trafford from Villarreal. But despite featuring just 15 times in all competitions so far this season, the Ivorian is not short of admirers.
The likes of Arsenal and Tottenham have both been mentioned in the past. However, the Daily Record now claims Inter Milan are also in the running for his signature.
The Serie A giants have raided United on a number of occasions in recent years. Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young have all traded Old Trafford for the San Siro. Now Antonio Conte is targeting a fourth raid on the Red Devils in the shape of Bailly.
As per the report, United have responded by placing a lowly £17m fee on the 26-year-old. Whether they achieve that price remains to be seen, however, with Inter ready to barter.
But they are reportedly in the market for a new defender amid claims Milan Skriniar could be sold to Tottenham for a hefty fee.
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United ready to let Bailly go
United had initially wanted to trigger the 12-month option they have on Bailly. However, the defender’s frustrations at his Old Trafford situation appear to have sparked a U-turn from the powers that be.
Bailly was “upset and furious” at being overlooked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the recent 1-0 win at AC Milan. Instead Solskjaer went with Victor Lindelof alongside Harry Maguire as United shut-out the Rossoneri to reach the quarter-finals.
The outlet quote a ‘dressing-room insider’: “Eric has had enough now.
“He simply doesn’t feel wanted or respected by the manager.”
And now another outlet have been fed a similar story with Sky Sports reporting Bailly fears United are offering him a new contract simply to guarantee a bigger transfer fee for him in the summer.
The broadcast giants report ‘a friend of the defender’ telling Sky Sports News: “Eric loves the club and the fans. His family are settled in Manchester. He’d like nothing more than to spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.
“But he feels the club has been very disrespectful towards him and frankly he’s had enough.
“He feels that no matter what he does, he will never be first choice for Ole.
“He now realises he’s too good and too young to spend his time sitting on the bench.”
READ MORE: Alex Telles opens up on Old Trafford rivalry with Luke Shaw
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James Marshment
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