According to reports in Italy, Napoli have expressed interest in signing Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly in the ongoing transfer window. The Serie A side have opened talks with the Premier League giants over a potential move for the defender.
The Ivory Coast international spent two seasons with Spanish side Villarreal before moving to Old Trafford in 2016. Since then, he has featured in 113 games (stats via Transfermarkt) for United across all competitions. The defender has won the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League during his time with the Red Devils.
Napoli defender Kaildou Koulibaly completed his move to Premier League side Chelsea last week. Koulibaly’s exit has prompted the Italian side to look for a new centre-back in the transfer market, who is capable enough to fill the shoes of the Senegal international and command the backline from next season onwards.
The Italian outfit are looking at potential targets to fill up the position and have made enquires about the availability of Bailly. This enquiry was made after Luciano Spalletti’s side accepted a bid for the Senegalese defender. The Serie A side consider the 28-year-old has the quality to comfortably slot into the starting XI and take Koulibaly’s spot.
According to transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla (via The Sun), Napoli are seeking to fill the void created by Kalidou Koulibaly’s exit and are, subsequently, in contact with Manchester United regarding the possibility of signing Eric Bailly before the commencement of the 2022-23 season. They consider the Ivorian ace as the most probable replacement.
The Ivory Coast centre-back only made 4 Premier League appearances last season. Meanwhile, the hierarchy at Old Trafford have agreed a deal to sign Ajax centre-back, Lisandro Martinez. This could further limit the player’s game-time at the Old Trafford next season.
However, the 28-year-old centre-back has insisted on continuing at the Theatre of Dreams. He is keen on proving his worth and make an impression under new boss, Erik ten Hag, despite having fallen down the pecking order.
🗞 Napoli are in contacts for #mufc's Eric Bailly – he is among the options they're considering to replace Kalidou Koulibaly. [@AlfredoPedulla]
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) July 13, 2022
If Eric Bailly has no choice but to seek an exit, then he would prefer a move to Napoli, as reported by Italian journalist Gianluca Vitale (via The Hard Tackle). The Cote d’Ivoire defender has been courted by several clubs across Europe, including Napoli, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
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Manchester United’s leaking defence was the talk of the town last season. Other problems, both on and off the field, also hurt them during their run in the 2021-22 campaign.
The Ivory Coast ace is set to enter the final two years of his contract with the Red Devils. Regardless of that, he is looking forward to establishing himself as a key player under new manager Erik ten Hag. And now, only time will tell how this situation might take shape in the coming days.
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