Eric Bailly to Arsenal: The Ivory Coast defender fell out-of-favour with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after inconsistent performances.
Eric Bailly signed for Manchester United in 2016, but he spent a significant part of his time at the club recovering from injuries. In the current season, he reclaimed the starting spot in Manchester United’s XI, but dropped after the second match due to poor form.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho blamed the defender’s mistake after the loss against Brighton and Hove Albion, and Bailly is yet to break into starting XI for the club since. The reports now suggest that Bailly might want a move out of the club.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly keen on selling Bailly and Rojo to make space for a new defensive signing in January, according to reports from England. And so, Arsenal have entered the race to sign the outgoing Manchester United defender.
Arsenal’s current first-choice central defenders are Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi. While Unai Emery signed Sokratis this year, Mustafi has been inconsistent at the back during his time at the club.
Eric Bailly to Arsenal:
Eric Bailly is reportedly ‘frustrated’, according to Duncan Castles of the Daily Record, and wants to leave Manchester United after lack of chances in the first team.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Eric Bailly. The Ivorian is said to be frustrated & unsettled by a lack of playing time this season. Tottenham are also interested in the 24 year old. Both clubs expressed interest in the summer. [@DuncanCastles] #AFC pic.twitter.com/Ke5kEigS6n
— Cannon Insider (@CannonInsider) November 15, 2018
Arsenal, as well as their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have reaffirmed their interest in signing the defender.
Eric Bailly spend most of his time in the previous season on the sidelines due to injury. The Ivorian defender made only 13 appearances in the Premier League, and 18 overall appearances for the club.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested in taking ‘frustrated’ Eric Bailly from Manchester United. #AFC #MUFC #THFC #CIVhttps://t.co/1gGCuZBbxB pic.twitter.com/l4hAOdkc3q
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) November 15, 2018
In this season, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has played Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof since dropping Eric Bailly to the bench.
Mauricio Pochettino has earlier shown interest in the defender during his time in Spain, and might reconsider him at Tottenham Hotspur.
I think selling Eric Bailly would be unforgivable. He’s shown many times when he’s given a run in the side that he’s easily our best defender. Alongside Lindelof, who’s starting to settle in well, we have a very strong partnership there.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) November 13, 2018
Arsenal, meanwhile, have conceded 15 goals in their 12 Premier League games, which is the highest amount of goal conceded among the league’s top-five at the moment.
Eric Bailly has huge potential but he’s not our best centrehalf imo. It would be ludicrous to sell a player with such potential whilst Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain at the club. A clear-out is needed, yes. Eric Bailly shouldn’t be on that list whatsoever, or near it.
— Josh. (@ManUnitedMedia) November 12, 2018
What next?
Arsenal are also being linked with the signings of Emerson from Atletico Miniero, and Gianluca Mancini from Serie A side Atalanta.
