Manchester United have confirmed the signing of defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal on a four-year deal subject to a work permit.
Bailly, 22, impressed in La Liga during the 2015/16 season. He made 47 appearances for Valencia since his arrival in January 2015 and he won the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast in the same year.
Bailly has the ability to operate anywhere along the back line but he primarily plays as a centre-back.
His arrival could be bad news for Daley Blind, who had been playing alongside Chris Smalling in central defence last season.
Bailly is strong, fast and athletic, everything Blind isn’t. Recent reports suggested that Mourinho would be happy to sell the Dutchman this summer and he may now be sweating on his future in Manchester.
But it is good to see United wrap up a deal with a minimum of fuss and in a relatively short amount of time. The hope is that Bailly is the first of a host of arrivals at United this summer.
