Eric Bailly: Marseille sign Man Utd defender on season-long loan
Eric Bailly leaves Man Utd on loan after five seasons at Old Trafford; Marseille have obligation to buy centre-back for £5.1m, subject to appearances and Champions League qualification; United hold initial talks with Newcastle over deal for goalkeeper Martin Dubravka
Wednesday 24 August 2022 21:42, UK
Eric Bailly has joined Marseille on a season-long loan while Manchester United have held talks over signing Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Marseille will cover all of the 28-year-old Ivory Coast international's wages during his time at the Stade Velodrome.
The Ligue 1 club are obligated to sign Bailly permanently in the summer of 2023 for £5.1million (€6m), subject to appearances and whether Marseille qualify for the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho brought Bailly to Manchester United from Villarreal in the summer of 2016 and the centre-back went on to make 113 appearances for the club, scoring once.
He helped the club win the League Cup and Europa League in his first season but he has also been hampered by injuries throughout his time at Old Trafford.
The signing of Lisandro Martinez this summer saw him fall down the pecking order with competition at centre-back also coming from Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
A statement from United described Bailly as a "popular member" of the squad and added: "Eric has our best wishes for the campaign to come and we will be following his progress closely."
Man Utd hold Dubravka talks
Manchester United have held initial talks with Newcastle United over the signing of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Dubravka has lost his No 1 spot following the arrival of Nick Pope and wasn't in the squad for Wednesday's EFL Cup tie at Tranmere.
United are in the market for a 'keeper to provide competition for David de Gea and Tom Heaton after Dean Henderson joined Nottingham Forest on loan.
It is thought Dubravka would be open to the move.
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