JOSE MOURINHO plans to raid Manchester United for defensive favourite Eric Bailly, according to reports.
The Special One made Bailly his first signing as Old Trafford boss, paying Villarreal £30million for the Ivory Coast ace in 2016.
Mourinho has just taken charge of Roma with the brief of lifting last season’s seventh-place finishers into Serie A’s top four.
And multiple reports in Italy on Thursday claimed the Portuguese coach and SunSport columnist has set his sights on Bailly, 27.
The centre-back has struggled for game time under current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He made 12 Premier League appearances last term, following just four two seasons ago and a dozen in 2018-19.
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Roma could lose United old boy Chris Smalling this summer, with the 31-year-old linked with a potential departure.
And Rome daily Il Tempo suggests Mourinho could offer Bailly an emotional reunion at the Stadio Olimpico.
Bailly revealed a private phone call with his former boss in May after Mourinho parted company with the North London club.
The pair were reported to have enjoyed a warm relationship during the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss’ time in charge at Old Trafford.
The Ivorian said: “When he was sacked I sent him a message, and when he signed for Roma I spoke to him on the phone.
“We had a few laughs. He’s a coach I’ve always been good with.
“Hopefully he’ll do well in Italy, and we’ll meet in the future.”
Bailly is under contract with United until 2024.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
