Fulham are reportedly in discussions over a move for Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly.
The Ivory Coast international returned to Old Trafford earlier this summer following a loan spell at Marseille, but he is not in the plans of Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag moving forward.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs at the club, with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire next in line, while Jonny Evans is believed to be on the verge of signing a one-year deal at Old Trafford following an impressive pre-season.
As a result, there is no future for Bailly at the club, and the 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but a proposed switch to Al-Nassr appears to have broken down.
Meanwhile, Bailly, who made the move to Old Trafford from Villarreal in 2016, is thought to have turned down the chance to join Turkish giants Besiktas.
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According to the Daily Mail, Fulham are currently in talks over a move for the Ivorian, with Marco Silva's side keen to keep him in the Premier League.
Bailly has made 113 appearances for Man United in all competitions, but he only featured on four occasions during the 2021-22 campaign, which led to his loan move to Marseille.
The defender played 23 times for the French outfit last term, but Les Olympiens, who finished third in Ligue 1, turned down the chance to sign him on a permanent deal.
Fulham have banked a club-record fee by selling Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal, although it is unlikely that Bailly would command a big price, with his contract due to expire next summer, and Man United keen to move him on.
The Red Devils suffered a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday, with the match highlighting their need to bring in a defensive midfielder, although any incomings are thought to hinge on sales.
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Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Brandon Williams are also among those to be linked with exits, and ex-Red Devils captain Gary Neville spoke of the importance of boosting the midfield before the end of the summer transfer window.
"Casemiro looks lost in midfield in these first two matches," Neville told Sky Sports News after the loss in North London. "What's clear is that Manchester United's midfield needs bolstering.
"Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and at the moment the club can't get players out to be able to fund that.
"If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be big problems. What's clear is that Ten Hag doesn't want to revert back to Scott McTominay.
"With Bruno [Fernandes] on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn't capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It's almost as if he is managing him out of the club."
Man United have made three signings during this summer's transfer window, bringing in Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, although the latter is yet to feature due to a back issue.
Matt Law
