Eric Bailly is set to leave Manchester United as the club have reached agreement with Besiktas to sell him this summer.
Bailly was among the out-of-favor Manchester United defenders who were set to leave the club alongside Phil Jones, Alex Telles, including former Man United captain Harry Maguire.
Phil Jones, who struggled with niggling injuries, ran out of his Manchester United contract this summer and has been released by the club. Jones is yet to take up a new challenge but is now a free agent.
Brazil and former Manchester United defender Alex Telles, spent last season on loan to Laliga and European giants, Sevilla, before Manchester United sold him to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. Alex Telles joined Al Nassr, signing a three-year contract after being axed off Man United squad.
Manchester United agreed terms with West Ham United for Harry Maguire but the England defender rejected Man United’s payoff offer and chose to stay and fight for his place at the club.
Maguire has two years remaining on his Manchester United contract and is ready to see off his contract despite dropping down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Eric Bailly was set to leave Manchester United as he fell off Ten Hag’s pegging order after the Dutchman took over as United new manager.
He was loaned to Marseille in France in Ten Hag’s first season at Manchester United but was back to the club after his loan tenure expired.
On his return, Eric Bailly was off Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United squad plan this season. He did not join the club’s preseason tour with reports linking him to imminent exit.
He was linked to a return to Marseille on a permanent deal. Premier League side Fulham were also interested in a move for the player. Bailly could not agree personal terms with the two clubs and was still stuck at Old Trafford.
The Premier League transfer window closed before Bailly could work out an exit from Manchester United but Turkish giants Besiktas were also on his trail and were ahead in the race to sign him.
The transfer window for Turkish clubs will close on 15 September 2023. Hence, there was still an exit route from Old Trafford for Eric Bailly.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United and Besiktas have reached agreement for Eric Bailly. Contrary to previous report of a one-year contract for the Ivory Coast defender, it has been confirmed Besiktas only wants a short-term deal till June 2024.
Bailly will hope to breath life back to his career as he sets out for a new challenge with Besiktas after a frozen career at Old Trafford.
He joined Manchester United under Jose Mourinho era from Villarreal in 2016. After an initial brilliant start, Bailly saw his career declined drastically following series of injuries.
He has made 70 Premier League appearances, scoring a goal in his seven-year stint at Manchester United.
