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Arsenal Loan Bid For Eric Bailly Unsurprisingly Rejected

Arsenal Loan Bid For Eric Bailly Unsurprisingly Rejected

Manchester United were hardly going to want to strengthen their own rivals for one of the Premier League's top four spots.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Arsenal have reportedly had a loan move for Eric Bailly rejected by Manchester United with the Gunners also wanting to sign the centre back permanently in the summer.

There was a time when Arsenal and Manchester United were the bitterest of rivals in English football. The two Premier League sides were competing to win the title every year and Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson went at it in their war of words.

Times have changed somewhat. First Wenger's side fell out of the title picture and then, once Fergie had retired, United followed suit and also fell out of the title picture.

Now the two sides are back battling each other. Depressingly for them it's no longer for the title but instead for fourth place and the final Champions League spot, with Chelsea ahead in the battle.

The two teams did transfer business last January when they swapped Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan but this season it would be a surprise for them to move players between the sides.

So it's no surprise that, according to the Mail, United rejected a loan move for centre back Eric Bailly, with the Gunners wanting to make the move permanent in the summer.

Bailly hasn't played much under Solskjaer. Image: PA Images
Bailly hasn't played much under Solskjaer. Image: PA Images

The 24 year old was one of many who had grown disillusioned at life under Jose Mourinho but unlike some things haven't really turned round for under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Ivorian has only started one of the seven games under the new manager and he was sent off in that game against Bournemouth.

However despite that fact United would be unlikely to strengthen a rival, especially as they've had their own issues in defence this season.

Alexis Sanchez move between the clubs hasn't gone well so far. Image: PA
Alexis Sanchez move between the clubs hasn't gone well so far. Image: PA

Bailly signed from Villarreal in 2016 on a four year deal so could be available for free next summer however the club have the option of extending his deal by two years but are waiting to see what their next permanent manager wants to do.

Arsenal have had issues in defence because of injuries and whilst most of their players are back or shortly returning they have lost Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin for longer terms.

Unai Emery can't make any signings in the January window so has to make do with loan deals, with Barcelona's Denis Suarez expected to move to the Emirates.

At the height of their rivalry few players moved from one team to the other and right now neither side can afford to strengthen the other.

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Topics: Football News, Unai Emery, Manchester United, Transfer stories, Transfer rumours, Premier League, Arsenal, Transfer news, Champions League, Eric Bailly