Manchester United manager Mourinho wants a new centre-back with Bailly currently struggling for game time at Old Trafford.
The Ivory Coast international has not featured since being hooked after just 19 minutes in their 3-2 Premier League win over Newcastle back in October.
Manchester United have shipped 21 Premier League goals already this season, with Bailly struggling alongside the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof.
The 24-year-old has been tipped to join Arsenal amid uncertainty over his Old Trafford future, with Serie A giants AC Milan also emerging as potential suitors.
But the Daily Record claim that Mourinho is unwilling to let him go.
It is claimed the United manager would instead prefer to keep Bailly.
And that is because he believes the defender has the potential to become one of the best defenders in world football.
Mourinho’s decision to regularly drop Bailly could be his own way of motivating the under-performing United star.
He has adopted similar tough-love methods when coaching the likes of Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho does not want to sell Eric Bailly (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho feels Eric Bailly can be a club hit (Image: GETTY)
And, despite their difficult season so far, all three players have made significant improvements to their game.
The Daily Record say Mourinho has requested the signing of Napoli powerhouse Koulibaly.
And, in order to fund a possible transfer, he wants Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo off the books.
Jones has been at United since signing from Blackburn Rovers back in the summer of 2010.
But injuries and inconsistencies have prevented the England international from being an Old Trafford hit.
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