Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is reportedly prepared to join Serie A giants AC Milan in the ongoing transfer window.
A recent report from Gianluca Di Marzio has offered an update on AC Milan’s quest to sign a new centre-back in January. The Serie A giants remain primed to sign Eric Bailly, with the Manchester United defender joined by the likes of Abdou Diallo, Nicolo Casale and Sven Botman in the club’s list of potential targets.
Di Marzio claims Bailly is the likeliest player to join as he is now open to a move to San Siro to put an end to his misery at Manchester United. However, the Rossoneri are primarily favouring a loan deal with an option for redemption at the end of the season.
A part of the Manchester United setup since 2016, Bailly has had a disappointing spell at Old Trafford. For the large part, he has been a victim of the club’s lavish policies in the transfer market, with the Ivorian falling behind the likes of Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and most recently, Raphael Varane in the pecking order.
In addition to the competition, injuries have not favoured the defender either, with the former Villarreal defender yet to muster over 1,000 minutes of league action in any of his last four completed seasons at the club. In the ongoing campaign, he has featured in just over 200 minutes of football, which is unacceptable for a player of his calibre.
However, the ongoing January transfer window gives Bailly the opportunity to potentially redeem his career elsewhere, with AC Milan appearing to be a potential destination.
Rocked by the injury to star player Simon Kjaer, the Rossoneri are in the market for a centre-back this month. While Stefano Pioli is not averse to signing a short-term solution, he certainly prefers someone who can remain a part of the team for a long time, in light of Alessio Romagnoli’s uncertain future at the club.
With the Italian’s contract with the Serie A giants expiring at the end of the season, he has emerged as a target for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and even Manchester United. It has accentuated the need for a new centre-back, and that is where someone like Eric Bailly could prove to be a handy addition for AC Milan.
It will be interesting to see if Manchester United can work out a potential deal involving Romagnoli and Bailly in January, knowing both the clubs might benefit from such a move.