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Man Utd transfer ON but source reveals the one problem over Sevilla defender deal
MANCHESTER UNITED may be set to sell Eric Bailly to Sevilla in this transfer window.
Manchester United defender Bailly has endured a miserable season so far.
Castigated by Jose Mourinho, he was sent off on his first start under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last month.
United are in need of defensive restructuring and Bailly seems increasingly surplus to requirements.
The centre-back joined United from Villarreal in a £30m deal thee years ago.
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But he could be set to return to La Liga with Sevilla stepping up interest.
Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo say a source has confirmed Sevilla’s interest in the defender.
They claim contact HAS been made between the clubs, with Sevilla wanting to know United’s stance on offloading the 24-year-old.
However, there is a sticking point to any potential transfer.
Sevilla are aware that they would not be able to afford the wages Bailly currently earns at Manchester United.
The La Liga club would therefore require the Red Devils to cover part of his £75,000-a-week deal.
Bailly’s contract expires in the summer of 2020, meaning a foreign club could agree a pre-contract deal with him as early as next January.
But United may want rid of the Ivorian by then, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Kostas Manolas the latest names floated as possible targets.
Eric Bailly backed to LEAVE Man United by Moreno
As for Solskjaer, former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol reckons the United defence is yet to be properly tested.
“It’s important for Man United that you do it in style. They’ve done both of those things,” he said.
“It [the defence] is a worry, no question it is. But fortunately going forward they look exciting.
“[Marcus] Rashford is another player with a new lease of life.
“No question he has ability, we just haven’t been able to see it under Mourinho. We’re seeing it now.
“So the defence is a problem, they lost another goal (against Bournemouth), could have and should have lost another one at 1-0 up when (David) De Gea saves it with his shoulder.”