FC Barcelona have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, who is on the radar for Newcastle United.
According to the Daily Star, the La Liga giants are eager to sign unsettled players on the cheap as Xavi Hernandez aims to improve the quality of the Barcelona squad on the cheap, with Bailly now a target for the Catalans.
As per the report, the Ivory Coast international is way down the centre-back pecking order at United, with Bailly last playing for the Red Devils back in late December, with the former Villarreal star only making seven appearances in all competitions this season.
Indeed, this lack of first-team minutes will make Bailly a prime candidate to leave United in the summer, and as well as Barcelona, Newcastle could also have a foot in the race if reports from January are to be believed.
According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast, Newcastle have an interest in the United centre-back, who has previously been linked with Tottenham and AC Milan in recent months as well.
Newcastle will likely target another defender in the summer after the arrival of Dan Burn in January, yet with Barcelona now interested in Bailly, the Magpies could stand no chance in signing the Ivorian, who joined United in 2016 for £30m as per BBC Sport.
Barcelona project could entice Bailly over Newcastle’s ambition
Newcastle’s spending in January makes the Toon one of the most exciting clubs in Europe, yet with this new era for the Magpies in its infancy, the likes of Bailly could be more interested in joining Barcelona, whose own project could be enticing.
Xavi has already brought signs of life back to Barcelona after once looking like a giant of football that will remain fallen, and for Bailly, a move back to Spain and Catalonia could be the restart the defender needs after a wasted season on United’s bench.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
