ANOTHER Man Utd transfer COLLAPSES after Maguire to West Ham

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Aug 2023 11:31 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Manchester United outcast Eric Bailly will not move to Al-Nassr or Besiktas, according to a report.

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The Red Devils are finding it tough to offload their unwanted defenders. Harry Maguire's move to West Ham stalled and ultimately collapsed, meaning that Erik ten Hag will, as things stand, most likely not be able to bring in a defender more suited to his style this window.

He will have to rely on his erstwhile club captain to provide backup to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane together with Victor Lindelof. Another player who United would have expected to be already long gone is Eric Bailly.

The former Villarreal man has failed to live up to expectations at United as form and fitness issues perennial hamstrung the defender. He spent last season on loan at Marseille, getting banned for kicking a lower-division player in the chest in the French cup and ultimately seeing his buy option not exercised by the French giants.

READ: Man Utd told when they can sign Brighton's Evan Ferguson

The centre-back had been in talks with two clubs, but both transfers have now collapsed.

Bailly's search continues

The Ivorian will have to continue looking for a new employer after negotiations with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas came to nothing.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have found a much more reliable defensive target in Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte, who is quickly closing in on a switch to the Saudi giants.

READ: MAJOR development in Man Utd transfer pursuit

Bailly, meanwhile, had an offer from Besiktas on the table and negotiations appeared to be going well, according to Turkish media, but Sky Sports now reports that the 29-year-old decided against pursuing this opportunity.

He is still under contract at Man Utd for another season, so if he doesn't find a club in the final two weeks of the window, he will continue to pocket what is likely a sizeable salary with seemingly no prospect of featuring for Ten Hag.