"?Manchester United could soon have their first defensive signing of the summer after a report from Spain that a move for Villarreal centre-back Eric Bailly is very close to completion. It comes as the club is in the process of also tying up the signing of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
According to AS, United will not pay Bailly's full €40m release clause up front, but the overall value of the deal will still reach that amount, around £31m, after various performance related add-ons and other incentives have been included.
It is said that United and Villarreal are at advanced negotiations, with Bailly and his representatives now free to discuss personal terms.
The 22-year-old Ivorian only joined Villarreal from Espanyol in January 2015, bought as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Gabriel Paulista. The Yellow Submarine paid a little over €5m for him and therefore stand to make a huge profit should the sale to United go through.
Bailly made his international debut for Ivory Coast in 2015. He was part of the country's victorious African Cup of Nations squad, playing in all six games en-route to lifting the trophy.
AS notes that Bailly, while a centre-back by trade, is versatile and can play all across the back-line if necessary. He is still something of a raw talent that will need honing at Old Trafford, while perhaps slightly worryingly he is said to suffer from shoulder injuries.
Within days of formally succeeding Louis van Gaal as United boss, Mourinho already appeared to be making decisions on which players he was prepared to cut loose.
Dutch international and fan favourite Daley Blind is apparently one of them, with Bailly potentially set to be his replacement at the back. It remains to be seen how this sudden move will affect United's interest in John Stones or the matter of Phil Jones' future at Old Trafford.
To continue the discussion on Twitter follow @jamiespencer155
Visit www.facebook.com/jamiespencer155
"?"?