Jose begins United revamp, signs Bailly
Print Edition
JOSE Mourinho’s rebuilding job at Manchester United began when Ivory Coast central defender Eric Bailly became his first signing yesterday, joining from Spanish side Villarreal.
The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract with an option for two more years, a club statement said.
No fee was disclosed although media reports said United had agreed a deal of about 25 million pounds (US$36.44 million) with the La Liga side.
“Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent. He has progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around,” former Chelsea manager Mourinho, who replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal last month, said.
Bailly has 15 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of its 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad. He played 47 times for Villarreal after joining in 2015 from Espanyol, impressing in a back four that conceded only 35 goals in 38 La Liga matches last season and reached the Europa League semifinals, losing to Liverpool.
The capture of Bailly marks the first of an expected flurry of signings by Mourinho as he seeks to restore the fortunes of the 20-time English champions which won the FA Cup last season but finished fifth in the Premier League.
United, which will play in the Europa League after missing out on a Champions League spot, is also the favorite to sign Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
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