Rashford favourite could leave Man Utd as Saudi Pro League transfer rumours build

Robin Bairner

• 21 Jul 2023 17:26 BST
• 4 min read

It’s not just Alex Telles that Manchester United could sell to the Saudi Pro League this summer, with rumours emerging of a possible transfer for a second Red Devils to the bid-spending Gulf league.

According to The Telegraph, there is “tentative interest” in centre-back Eric Bailly, who has become a forgotten figure at Man Utd but a player that manager Erik ten Hag would be eager to offload during the transfer window.

James Ducker tweeted: “Alex Telles to Al Nassr still on despite fears deal was in danger of collapsing. Some tentative interest from Saudi in Eric Bailly.”

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Bailly spent last season on loan at Marseille but fell out of favour at the Stade Velodrome club, who deliberately benched him in order for a mandatory purchase clause not to be reached. Had OM finished second in Ligue 1 and not third – thereby qualifying directly for the Champions League – they would also have had to sign the Ivory Coast international player.

The 29-year-old is back at Man Utd, though, and has been training at Carrington in order to stay fit. He has not, however, been included in the squad for either of the club’s pre-season matches to date and will not travel on the US tour, putting him behind even Harry Maguire in Ten Hag’s thinking.

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Bailly's close relationship with Rashford

If Bailly is out of favour with Ten Hag, he is a player who has the affection of leading attacker Marcus Rashford, who went out of his way to send him an Instagram message last season saying how much he misses the former Villarreal star.

Rashford’s friendship, though, will not be enough to save Bailly from Ten Hag’s axe this summer, with the defender one of a number of fringe players that Man Utd are finding it hard to move on.

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Signed for €38 million in 2016, Bailly has been plagued by injury problems during his stay at the Premier League side and, as such, his transfer value has fallen to just €3.4m with a year left on his contract.

Bailly’s nasty injury history makes him a risk for the type of club that would naturally sign him, while his comparatively large wage means it is difficult for clubs below that standard to afford him, leaving Man Utd with a problem that could be solved by the Saudi Pro League.