AC Milan have made an approach to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly as the club look to sign a centre-back this month.
Bailly is a transfer target for the Serie A side who are seeking centre-back cover during the January window, having seen Simon Kjær ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Genoa last month.
Bailly has started just three league fixtures for the Red Devils this season and is understood to be amongst a group of players frustrated with his lack of involvement, raising the prospect of an exit this month.
The Ivory Coast international is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, as he looks for a regular run of games following large periods on the sidelines this season.
AC Milan are working to sign a new centre back. Eric Bailly, one of the names in the list – first approaches started for Man Utd player. Nothing advanced yet. 🔴 #MUFC @SkySport
Abdou Diallo’s also a candidate in case Paris Saint-Germain will let him leave on loan. #ACMilan
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 11, 2022
The 27-year-old was handed a contract extension in April, but has struggled to establish himself during five-and-a-half seasons at the club amid continued fitness problems.
Milan will target an initial loan deal for the defender, though it remains to be seen whether United will sanction the departure of the centre-back during the current window.
Bailly signed for the Red Devils in a £30m deal from Villarreal in 2016, but has started just 30 league games across the past four full seasons.
Milan have also been linked with Lille centre-back Sven Botman – a reported transfer target for Newcastle – and Paris Saint-Germain defender Abdou Diallo.
