Lyon challenges Marseille for a Man United crack!
OM Mercato: On the lookout for market opportunities, OM are interested in a Manchester United defender. But OL play spoilsport.
OM Mercato: OL interferes in the Éric Bailly case
As the summer transfer window is fast approaching, Olympique de Marseille is doing everything possible to attract new reinforcements this summer. The management of OM is already working on several files and would like to secure the services of a new central defender in anticipation of the future departure of Guillaume Saliba. Loaned to Marseille without an option to buy, the French defender is supposed to return to Arsenal at the end of the season. If the young 21-year-old player no longer hides his desire to stay in Marseille this summer, the Marseille leaders know that it will be very difficult to keep him, in particular because of the price demanded by the Gunners – around 30 M€ – for wire transfer.
Aware of this situation, OM are therefore exploring other avenues in parallel, in order to anticipate a possible departure from Saliba. And one of the avenues studied internally would lead to Eric Bailly. The Ivory Coast international is currently going through a disappointing situation at Manchester United. Barred by tough competition within the defense of the Red Devils, the 28-year-old central defender must be satisfied with only crumbs in the Premier League. Only 4 small league games have been contested this season. This almost non-existent playing time pushes Éric Bailly a little more towards the exit.
OM would therefore like to take advantage of this situation to attract him to their ranks. It must be said that Olympique de Marseille would represent a great way out for the Ivorian. But as so often, the Marseille club will have to face tough competition on this defensive track. After AS Roma and Sevilla FC, a new suitor has just interfered in this case, Olympique Lyonnais.
Eric Bailly in Lyon to replace Denayer?
The goal indeed indicates that OL, which could well lose one or two defensive elements this summer, would have clearly identified Eric Bailly as a potential replacement for Jason Denayer, whose lease expires this summer. The solid profile of the Ivorian would fit perfectly with the type of player sought by the Rhone club which has great ambitions in the transfer window. OL could therefore launch an offensive in the coming weeks for Éric Bailly. Rivals in the league, Lyon and Marseille then risk facing each other again in the transfer window. It remains to be seen who will take the lead in this case.