Real Madrid eyeing surprise move for Manchester United centre-back

Real Madrid manager Zinedine is reportedly plotting a surprise approach to sign Eric Bailly from Manchester United during this summer’s transfer window, The Ivory Coast international has been with the Red Devils for the past two-and-a-half seasons, but he has failed to establish himself as a regular at the heart of the club’s backline due to form and fitness concerns.

According to The Sun, Los Blancos boss Zidane remains a keen admirer of the central defender, who was previously in the ranks of Villarreal, and he could seek to prise the Ivorian away from Old Trafford in a deal worth £35m in the summer.

Bailly currently has 15 months remaining on his existing deal with the Red Devils, but so far, there has been no discussions regarding an extension, with the club very much aware that the defender wants to pursue a fresh challenge away from Old Trafford.

Opinion:

Bailly has not enjoyed the best of seasons with United this term, and he has been restricted to just the single Premier League start under head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the turn of the year.

Nonetheless, he has proved on multiple occasions that he can provide a steely resolve at the back on his day, and United may not necessarily consider his sale when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Should that not be the case, United could still command a sizeable fee than the one quoted, considering they have the option to prolong the defender’s stay at Old Trafford by a further two years through an extension clause.

At the moment, Bailly is regarded as a back-up option behind Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling. He has not featured since the international break following a head injury sustained while playing for the Ivory Coast.

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