22 July 2023 , 15:01
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Eric Bailly is set to leave Manchester United in the coming weeks with Fulham and two Saudi Arabian clubs pursuing his signature.
The Ivorian central defender has not reported for United’s pre-season training this month alongside fellow defender Alex Telles. Both players were granted leave from the club, who are actively trying to sell both players after they each return from loan deals.
Bailly was shipped out by United during the summer transfer window last year as part of a mass exodus orchestrated by boss Erik ten Hag. However, the central defender’s exit was only a season-long loan deal to Marseille with the French club not taking up their option to buy him permanently.
The central defender accused the club last year of having an English bias. Following his move to Marseille, Bailly suggested that Ten Hag's predecessors were reluctant to select foreign players over their English teammates.
The Red Devils boss responded to Bailly's recent accusations, which were labelled "absolute nonsense" by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher. "I cannot say [anything] about that. I was not in charge last season," Ten Hag declared before being asked if a player's nationality would ever come into his thinking when selecting a team. "Not for me."
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Aged 29, Bailly made 23 appearances for Marseille last season but he is well down the pecking order of central defender at Old Trafford. Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are among the options ahead of the former Villarreal defender.
Eric Bailly spent last season on loan at Marseille (Getty Images)Have Your Say! How would you rate Man Utd’s transfer window so far? Tell us what you think here.
As outlined by the Manchester Evening News, Saudi Arabian clubs are showing interest in Bailly – thought to be Al-Nassr, who are closing in on the signing of Telles permanently, and Al- Ettifaq, who are now managed by Steven Gerrard. There is also tentative interest from Fulham.
Bailly made 113 appearances over the course of six injury-hit campaigns with United and was Jose Mourinho's first signing as boss. The Ivorian centre-back left Villarreal for a fee in the region of £30million.
After a positive first season in which he helped the Red Devils win the Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League. injuries derailed Bailly's Old Trafford career. The Ivory Coast international found consistent minutes and form hard to come by thanks to a slew of issues which began in late 2017, including a serious ankle injury which kept him out for four months.
Ten Hag is insistent on including Bailly as part of an exodus from United’s first-team squad. Telles and Anthony Elanga, who is joining Nottingham Forest, are both close to exits while Donny van de Beek, Fred, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire all face uncertain futures.