EPL: Manchester United’s Eric Bailly ‘agrees personal terms with Besiktas’

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has reportedly agreed personal terms with Turkish giants Besiktas.

The Ivorian who looks set to depart Old Trafford, spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 club Marseille.

It was reported earlier that there was a host of Saudi Arabian interest in the centre-back, and it was also alleged that the 29-year-old had received two offers from the Saudi Pro League.

Besiktas are however now the favourites to sign Eric Bailly and are set to hold talks with Manchester United as they look to agree a transfer fee. Former Liverpool and Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also expected to join Besiktas this summer.

The Ivorian struggled with injuries for the majority of his time in Manchester, this may well be due to his full-throttle approach to defending.

When he did play, particularly during the COVID-affected year of 2020-2021, he was brilliant and will be remembered for his goal-saving block which denied Aston Villa a late equalizer.

He was a popular player with the United crowd but was never really consistent enough to be a United starter.

Bailly joined the Red Devils in a £30 million transfer from Villarreal in 2016. He has since made 113 appearances for the club. He won silverware during his time at Old Trafford, lifting the EFL Cup, Community Shield and Europa League. Bailly was also among the Ivorian team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.

Erik ten Hag has already introduced three new additions to his first-team squad this summer. Mason Mount was first to join the club when he made a £60m switch from Chelsea last month.

Andre Onana followed after completing a £47m transfer from Inter Milan. Rasmus Hojlund became the latest addition to Ten Hag’s squad when he joined in a £72m move last week.