Arsenal & Chelsea Eyeing Audacious Swoop For 24-Year-Old Star

The transfer window may be closed but managers are working hard on their plans for the summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Eric Bailly is linked with Arsenal and Chelsea…

Arsenal and Chelsea are eyeing an audacious swoop for Eric Bailly this summer as speculation continues to grow over his future at Manchester United, according to ESPN.

Bailly was expected to cement himself as a future star at Old Trafford following his £30m move from Villarreal two years ago and he enjoyed an impressive debut season in Manchester.

However, this campaign has been hugely frustrating as injuries have hampered his progress and he’s struggled to force his way back in to Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven since returning to fitness in February.

Bailly has started just two Premier League games in 2018 with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and even Victor Lindelof seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order and he’s once again been left on the bench for tonight’s clash with Brighton.

Mourinho gave a bizarre explanation for Bailly’s lack of action yesterday by claiming he’s not picking the centre-back because he’s not going to the World Cup finals with the Ivory Coast.

Bailly also failed to attend United’s end of season awards dinner on Tuesday night and while the club said his absence was down to a dental problem, it’s still heightened rumours of a bust-up with Mourinho.

The situation has sparked speculation that the 24-year-old will be on the move this summer and ESPN claim that Arsenal and Chelsea are both showing a keen interest in offering Bailly a fresh start.

Arsene desperately need to strengthen their defence following another poor campaign plagued by defensive errors while Chelsea could be in the market for a defender with David Luiz expected to leave Stamford Bridge.

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Bailly would be an excellent signing if either Arsenal or Chelsea could lure him to London but it remains to be seen if United will be prepared to sell to a direct rival if they decide to cash-in this summer.