Fulham submit enquiry for Eric Bailly

Fulham have enquired about the availability of Eric Bailly, with Marco Silva’s search for a new defender taking him to Manchester United.

According to Mail Sport, Fulham are keen on exploring a deal for Eric Bailly to add depth to their backline. The Ivory Coast international is not their first choice targe t for the position but could become an alternative before the window shuts down.

Marco Silva wants a new defender before the transfer window shuts on September 1. Central defence still seems like an area which would need some depth, as the manager appears to search for a new option. The future of Tosin Adarabioyo still seems up in the air, but whether he leaves remains the question.

Fulham have already signed Calvin Bassey from Ajax earlier in the summer. And now, Silva probably wants one more to keep his depth intact at the back. There are a few options for the Cottagers boss, including Benfica’s Morato and Manchester United’s Erik Bailly.

The interest in Bailly emerged last month, but Silva may look at the injury-prone star as an alternative to his priority target Morato. The Manchester United outcast, who arrived on a €38 million deal in 2016, seems to have no future at the club following a loan at Marseille and will have returned to the squad way down in the pecking order.

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Fulham have remained keen on Morato since July, with reports indicating Benfica had already rejected a bid for the centre-back. He wants to join the Cottagers and could force a move through if Silva desperately wants him to join.

If the Cottagers cannot sign him, they will move for Bailly, who cost Manchester United €38 million years ago. After many injury-ravaged seasons, the valuation will have to reduce drastically, but the Red Devils could cash in on the centre-back.

His contract with Manchester United expires in 2024, but the club can extend it by another season. They could take up the option if they feel it could affect his valuations, although the chances are low. Fulham might make a move once their pursuit of Morato becomes clearer. For now, there are chances Silva will sign the Benfica star as his preferred option, but one cannot rule out an approach for 29-year-old Bailly until the window shuts.