Before the January transfer window ends, Roma is allegedly interested in acquiring Manchester United center-back Eric Bailly. The 27-year-old has only made seven appearances for the Red Devils in the 2021–22 season, and in recent weeks, there have been rumors of his leaving the team.
Before joining Villarreal, Bailly began his professional career with Espanyol in Spain. He played for the team for two seasons before joining Manchester United in June 2016.
He represented the Ivory Coast for the first time at the international level in 2015, aiding them in winning the Africa Cup of Nations. He also participated in the 2020 Olympics and two other African games.
The Ivory Coast international is still apparently the focus of AC Milan, but Foot Mercato claims that Roma is also genuinely interested. According to the article, Jose Mourinho, the head coach of the Italian team, is still a massive admirer of Bailly, who joined Manchester United while the Portuguese were in control.
The Old Trafford hierarchy places Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Raphael Varane ahead of the defender, who has just made four Premier League matches for Red Devils this season. His present terms with the club extend until June 2024, with the possibility of an additional year, and Bailly just recently signed a new contract with the 20-time English champions in April.
Jose Mourinho, the former manager of United, is presently in charge of Roma, and he brought Eric Bailly to Old Trafford in June 2016.
Eric “has the potential to become one of the finest around,” according to Mourinho at the time. At Old Trafford, injuries have prevented Bailly from becoming a mainstay in the lineup over a single season, so that has not occurred yet.
And according to the reports, Bailly wants to move on, whether it’s to Milan or Roma. Since Raphael Varane joined the team in the summer, he has fallen fourth in the central defensive pecking order.
Anthony Martial’s anticipated loan transfer to Sevilla seems to have only gained momentum when the Frenchman chose to take a pay cut.
Bailly could have to do the same, but completing such laborious and complicated conversations might be challenging while he is abroad on foreign service. It appears that Mourinho is not at the top of the list for Bailly, but if the financial situation can be worked out, his familiarity with the player from his time at United may help him close the deal.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, another player Mourinho signed for United, is playing for Roma under the Portuguese coach, along with Chris Smalling.
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