Manchester United castoff near to completing Al Nassr switch
Eric Bailly is ‘closing in’ on a transfer from Manchester United to Al-Nassr.
According to journalist Marc Mechenoua on Twitter via Caught Offside (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is ‘closing in’ on a move to Al-Nassr in the current transfer window.
The Old Trafford club currently intends to separate ways with the 29-year-old this summer. The club has designated the central defender as a must-sell player.
The Saudi Pro League club is keen in acquiring the Ivory Coast international’s services. In this regard, discussions between the Red Devils and the Riyadh-based club are ‘progressing well’.
Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in January after he departed Manchester United in the middle of the 2022/23 season. The Saudi Pro League club has also acquired Alex Telles from the Red Devils during the current transfer window.
In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in their top division. This summer, notable athletes such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, and Ruben Neves traveled to the Middle Eastern nation.
Bailly has been with Old Trafford since the summer of 2016, when he was acquired from Villarreal. The Ivorian’s first season with the Manchester-based club was successful.
Since then, United has been unable to consistently rely on the defender due to his fitness concerns. The 29-year-old’s playing time with the Red Devils has decreased. While on loan at Olympique Marseille in the previous season, the center-back struggled for playing time.
It appears to be time to separate ways with Bailly. The defense of the Old Trafford club has arguably superior options than the Ivorian at the present.
Last season, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane established a strong partnership under Erik ten Hag. Currently, the Dutch manager also has players such as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at his disposal.
Therefore, it appears prudent to capitalize on Bailly. Uncertain is whether United will be able to reach a consensus with Al-Nassr.
Manchester United castoff near to completing Al Nassr switch