West Ham United want Eric Bailly and Manchester United may settle for a loan deal even if they would prefer to sell the central defender this summer.
United are in a real mess and Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing at Brentford and it should be a chaotic end to the transfer window for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag needs players to go out and for new blood to come in, and there are likely to be defenders on the way out.
Lisandro Martinez has come in and will now compete with the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof – meaning Bailly may be pushed out.
West Ham United want Eric Bailly
The Athletic report that West Ham United have made contact over a deal to bring Bailly to the London Stadium.
One problem for the Hammers is that both Marseille and Monaco have also made contact to try and sign Bailly before the transfer deadline.
It’s added that United would prefer to sell Bailly but may also be open to loaning him out this month.
United may well wait until deadline day though, seemingly willing to bide their time and secure the best deal for Bailly.
Bailly earns around £80,000-a-week at Old Trafford and interested clubs seemingly want that outlay to be subsidised.
Bailly, 28, joined United from Villarreal for £30million back in 2016 having shown major potential over in Spain.
There have been glimpses of Bailly’s quality in the last six years – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer even called him ‘immense’ in 2021 – but injuries and some rather eccentric defensive decisions have resulted in him dropping down the pecking order.
The Ivorian needs a fresh start elsewhere and West Ham may now be willing to offer an escape route.
West Ham are in the market for another centre back having allowed Issa Diop to sign for Fulham.
Bailly would be able to compete with the likes of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd moving forward, whilst joining last season’s Europa League semi-finalists should also appeal to the defender.
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