Man Utd transfer news: Eric Bailly deal becomes more ‘feasible’ for Serie A side he would ‘immediately’ choose

Eric Bailly would “immediately” leave Manchester United for Roma if he could, as the Serie A side continue working on a loan deal for the defender.

Bailly has fallen out of favour at Manchester United, despite signing a new contract last summer. During the 2021-22 season, he was behind Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane in the pecking order at centre-back.

Recently, Manchester United have added Lisandro Martinez into the mix as well. Therefore, Bailly is increasingly on the fringes and looking for a way out.

A move to Serie A – where he has never played before – is looking likely at the moment. There has been interest from AC Milan, but Roma are the ones making the biggest effort to sign him.

Jose Mourinho, of course, was the manager who brought Bailly to Old Trafford in the first place. Now, he wants to reunite with him in Rome.

And according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Roma believe it is “feasible” that they can sign Bailly on loan with an option to buy.

From the player’s perspective, Bailly would “immediately” make the move if the opportunity does present itself.

However, he may have to wait, because Roma are going to have to focus on player exits first. They need to reduce the wage bill and find solutions for several of their fringe players.

Their next signing after that should be former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Only after would they turn their attention to Bailly.

Roma used just four senior centre-backs last season, despite Mourinho deploying them in a back-three formation for most of the campaign. Hence, he needs more depth if he wants to stick with that shape – which he has been doing in pre-season.

One of the options at his disposal already knows Bailly well; Chris Smalling has revived his career in sensational fashion since switching Man Utd for Roma, so his former teammate would hope to follow suit if they reunited.

Eric Bailly to Roma makes sense for all parties

There is still a month for it to happen, but it seems to make sense for all parties. United have little use for Bailly, who wants to be playing more regularly – and Roma would provide him with that platform.

And after they won the Europa Conference League with Mourinho at the helm, there is a positive mood surrounding Roma at present. High-profile signings like Paulo Dybala and potentially Wijnaldum are only adding to their enthusiasm.

They have also added Nemanja Matic to their squad from Man Utd. Perhaps Bailly will tread the same path by the end of the window.

It will be a waiting game, but this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

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