Roma confident of Eric Bailly U-turn, with Mourinho ‘about to close’ Man Utd deal with option to buy

Roma are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly with an option to buy the Ivory Coast star, a report has claimed.

The 28-year-old arrived at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, who now wants to reunite with him in Italy. Following last season’s Europa Conference League triumph, the Roma manager is looking to cement that progress.

He has already made waves by signing former Juventus star Paulo Dybala. And the impending arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum – a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool – is adding to that excitement.

Wijnaldum is going to move to Roma on a loan deal with an option to buy. Mourinho, aware of his side’s financial limitations, now wants Man Utd man Bailly in on the same terms.

Previous reports indicated that the centre-back wanted to hold out and move to Sevilla instead.

According to Calciomercato, though, Roma firmly believe they will sign Bailly this summer.

In fact, the report claims the Serie A side are ‘about to close’ a loan deal with an option to buy worth €8million (£6.7million).

Bailly has done nothing to shut down his links with Roma by liking social media posts about the club in recent days. That has factored into Roma’s belief that they will get a deal over the line.

Bailly has never really got his career off the ground at Man Utd due to injury and more recent signings. Victor Lindelof arrived at Old Trafford a year after him in 2017 and remains a key first-teamer.

In 2019, Harry Maguire signed for United as the world’s most expensive defender. Raphael Varane then moved to the Red Devils in 2021 with a big reputation.

And this summer, new manager Erik ten Hag has added former Ajax star Lisandro Martinez to his squad.

Any move out of Man Utd good for Bailly

Bailly just needs to move away from Man Utd this summer, with Roma or Sevilla both good options.

Roma’s Europa Conference League win has put them on an exciting path under Mourinho. They are in the Europa League next season and will be looking to qualify for the Champions League.

Sevilla are already in Europe’s premier competition and they have lost their two star centre-backs this summer.

Phil Jones and Eric Bailly forced out by Manchester United

Phil Jones and Eric Bailly will leave Manchester United this summer to pay for Pau Torres from Villarreal

Bailly would therefore be able to step in to help replace Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde.

What is clear is that Bailly will struggle to get in on the act under Ten Hag at Man Utd and needs to leave.