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According to recent reports, Manchester United defender Eric Bailly is keen on remaining at the club, and fighting for his place in the squad.
Reports had emerged on Friday that newly promoted Premier League club Fulham would be keen on signing Bailly, having approached United to enquire about his availability.
Upon hearing that United would be open to negotiations, Fulham proposed a season long loan with an option to buy.
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However, the Manchester side were far more interested in either a permanent sale, or a loan move that would then see the centre-back end up at Craven Cottage full-time.
🗞 Fulham want to sign Eric Bailly and have approached #mufc about his availability. Fulham want a season long loan with an option to buy. United are open to sell but would prefer a sale, or at least a loan with an obligation to buy. [@skysports_sheth]
Despite United clearly being open to Eric Bailly’s time at the club coming to a close, this is something the player would rather not see happen.
A source close to the player has reportedly told Sky Sports that he “isn’t interested in going anywhere at the moment.”
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Instead, Bailly wishes to stay at United, in an attempt to reclaim his role in the first-team squad.
Throughout his Manchester United career Eric Bailly has made 113 appearances, racking up 8,625 minutes for the club.
Bailly who first signed for the club under then manager Jose Mourinho back in 2016 was highly praised in his first season for the club.
With the club going on to win the EFL Cup, Europa League, and Community Shield, Bailly’s individual quality did not go under the radar.
With United conceding just eight goals in 15 Europa League games on their way to European glory, Bailly’s performances would see him named in the Europa League Team of the Season despite missing the final through injury.
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However, since then he has failed to nail down a regular starting role for the team.
In his six seasons with the club, Bailly has started just 57 Premier League games, after dealing with a series of injuries.
Worse yet, in his last five seasons he has only made more than 10 league starts just once, whilst also making less than five league appearances in two of those five years.
As of the time of writing, Eric Bailly’s last appearance for the club came against Burnley last season in a 3-1 home win on the 30th December, a game where Bailly was forced off the pitch through injury.
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It was in part these injury concerns that have led United to sign several centre-backs in recent years, with Victor Lindelöf, Harry Maguire, and Raphaël Varane all joining the club.
If the Ivory Coast international is to remain at the club, Bailly may soon be facing yet more competition for his starting position.
Current reports indicate that United are the favourites to sign Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, with the club lodging and official bid earlier this weekend.
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Martinez, a 24-year-old Argentinian centre-back is said to be very keen on reuniting with old boss Erik ten Hag.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Fulham, Premier League, Eric Bailly, Erik Ten Hag, Football