Man Utd ‘could sell Eric Bailly’ despite new deal as Red Devils seek Pau Torres transfer

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Manchester United are reportedly considering the sale of centre-back Eric Bailly mere months after the Ivory Coast defender penned a new contract at Old Trafford. Currently, it is Villarreal’s Pau Torres being touted as his direct replacement.

To the surprise of many, Bailly signed a contract until 2024 back in April despite featuring just 16 times in the Premier League over the past two seasons.

Just two months later, Eurosport’s Dean Jones told The Football Terrace podcast that United are trying to usher the 27-year-old out of the door to make space for a promising Spanish youngster in Torres.

Jones also said: “It even came as a surprise to me, that contract, because the word had previously been he wasn’t going to be staying.

“As it is, I’m told Bailly might still leave and may end up going back to Villarreal. That’s something to look for going forward.

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“It seemed the case back in January that Pau Torres and Jules Kounde of Sevilla were the ones they really liked. Towards the end of the season I was told it was Torres they wanted over Kounde.

“They’ve done all due their due diligence on him, all the scouting done, so it’s now a case of budget. They still don’t know what they’ve got to spend overall in this market.”

Despite focusing much of their efforts in the transfer market towards thrashing out a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, finding a centre-back to partner Harry Maguire is still a puzzle United need to solve this summer.

With Jones predicting an experimental back three for United at some point next season, the need to sign talented defensive reinforcements becomes greater still, particularly with United fans split over the capabilities of Victor Lindelof.

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The defensive-minded Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been suggested as a player who could slot in fairly comfortably on the right side of that back three.

Although, he would be something of an unknown quantity outside of his usual right-back role.

United therefore must cast their nets out to the transfer market. Torres is still a young defender at 24, while he has shown his comfortability on the ball against the Red Devils in the Europa League final in recent weeks.

With a release clause believed to be in the region of £50million, Torres would be a significant investment, although a deep Spanish run into the Euros would risk prompting a multi-way battle for his signature in the wake of the tournament.

The player has attracted a host of other top clubs so far in his career, so United must act quickly if they are to ensure Torres treads the same path as Bailly in moving from Villarreal to United.

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