Eric Bailly is hoping to leave Premier League giants Manchester United sooner rather than later but Everton have ‘cooled’ their interest following Conor Coady’s arrival from Wolves, as reported by ESPN.
Sometimes, a complicated problem has a rather simple solution.
Conceding too many goals? Lacking leadership in defence? Well then why not sign James Tarkowski and Conor Coady? A pair of England internationals, proven in the Premier League and a vocal presence both on and off the pitch?
There is no guarantee that Tarkowski and Coady will adapt to life at Goodison Park. Plenty of talented footballers have failed to life up to expectations in Everton blue during the Farhad Moshiri era. But if they do, an Everton side who conceded 66 goals across 2021/22 should at last have a solid base from which to build.
Conor Coady swaps Wolves for Eveton
Coady arrived on loan from Wolves on Monday night, the long-serving captain leaving Molineux in pursuit of regular first-team football after falling behind Max Kilman and Nathan Collins in Bruno Lage’s pecking order.
Coady was left out of Wolves’ XI during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to a new-look Leeds United at Elland Road. But at least he had a place on the bench. That is more than can be said of Eric Bailly; The Ivorian watching on from the stands as the Eric Ten Hag era began like the Ralf Rangnick one ended at home to Brighton and Hove Albion.
According to the ESPN, Bailly, a £30 million signing from Villarreal all the way back in 2016, is hoping to make progress on a transfer this week. Sevilla and West Ham United are interested. The Hammers will sell Issa Diop to Fulham in the coming days.
An offer from Everton is unlikely to arrive, however, after the Toffees opted for Coady instead.
There is no doubting Bailly’s talent. But the fact remains the 28-year-old has averaged fewer than seven Premier League starts per season since 2017/18, a relentless series of injuries taking their toll.
“He’s had such a difficult time with injuries,” former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after Bailly offered a tantalising glimpse into his undoubted potential during a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in January 2021.
“He’s such a likeable man. In that dressing room, everyone wants to see him succeed. We know how important he can be for us and tonight he was immense.”
Unfortunately, with those fitness problems persisting, performances like that have been few and far between at Old Trafford.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
