Manchester United star Eric Bailly fears he’ll be the victim of Harry Maguire’s proposed move to Old Trafford.
Ed Woodward will not attend the China leg of the club’s pre-season tour after deciding to remain in the UK to conclude transfer business.
United have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James so far this summer and Woodward will now focus on completing deals for Maguire and at least one midfielder.
The Red Devils have been frustrated by Leicester’s £80m valuation of Maguire but remain confident a deal for the 26-year-old will get over the line.
Maguire’s arrival would leave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with seven central defenders at his disposal and, though he wants a larger squad to contend with the Europa League, at least one centre-back will be sold.
Victor Lindelof has been earmarked to partner Maguire, while Chris Smalling’s future is safe.
Solskjaer described Axel Tuanzebe as ‘the future’ of the club following United’s 1-0 win against Inter Milan on Saturday and the 21-year-old is expected to be given a chance to shine next term.
It leaves Bailly contending with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo for a future at the club and the Ivorian fears the new deals signed by the pair in the last 12 months will leave him as the odd man out.
United handed Rojo a new three-year deal in 2018 as they were eager to block the Argentine from leaving on a free. However, the Red Devils’ £20m valuation of the Argentine has put off buyers and his ability to play at left-back
Similarly, Phil Jones was handed a bumper new four-year deal earlier this year after Solskjaer signed off the agreement following his arrival.
Bailly has one year to run on his deal and though United have the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months, discussions are yet to start over an extension and he plans to speak to Solskjaer this week to discuss his future.
The Ivorian was Jose Mourinho’s first signing in a £30m deal from Villarreal in 2016 and he impressed during his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
However, injuries have taken their toll in the last 18 months and he’s no longer considered first choice.
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