La Liga giants Barcelona have identified Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly as a summer transfer target.
The Ivorian is evidently the Reds’ fourth-choice centre halve as he finds himself behind club captain Harry Maguire, World Cup winner and four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane, as well as Sweden’s national captain Victor Lindelof.
The 27-year-old has started one game under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and he had to be replaced in that game against Burnley by Varane due to injury.
The only other game time Bailly has been given under the German coach was when he came on for Lindelof, who was struggling to breath, against Norwich.
Although United’s number three has declared he has overcome his recent injury struggles, it’s hard to see him getting into the side unless another injury crisis strikes.
Phil Jones has played more minutes under Rangnick than Bailly which puts into context the Ivory Coast international’s struggles.
Bailly is yet to feature for the Red Devils in 2022 after returning from the African Cup of Nations.
Bailly’s lack of first team has alerted Barcelona according to the Daily Star.
Since Xavi was appointed as the Catalan giants’ new manager, the cash-strapped Nou Camp side have already signed three Premier League players.
Spain forward Ferran Torres arrived from Manchester City, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal and Adama Traore joined on a loan deal with a view to a permanent switch.
It now looks like the Europa League side are targeting Bailly to be their fourth piece of Premier League business.
The former Villarreal man has been riddled with injuries since arriving at Old Trafford and a summer exit could well be sanctioned.
After signing a new deal with the Reds only last April, Bailly has two years left on his contract and United have the option of extending that by a further year.