AC Milan and Roma are reportedly going head-to-head for the signature of Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly during this summer's transfer window.
The Ivory Coast international has been heavily involved in his side's pre-season to date, but he has not been selected in the squad for Saturday's friendly with Atletico Madrid.
Bailly will instead remain in Manchester, where he could face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, although the centre-back is widely expected to leave the 20-time English champions before the end of the window.
A recent report claimed that the former Espanyol youngster is one of six defenders to be placed on the transfer list by Man United ahead of the new campaign.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Telles, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones will also allegedly be allowed to leave the club before the transfer deadline.
© Reuters
According to The Athletic, Milan and Roma are battling for Bailly's signature, with the two Italian clubs keen to bring him to Serie A for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Red Devils would reportedly be willing to let the Ivorian leave for less than £10m this summer, with Lisandro MaRtinez's recent arrival pushing him further down the pecking order.
Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane are also ahead of Bailly in terms of the centre-back rankings, which could see him again struggle for action in the new season.
The 28-year-old only made seven appearances at the club during the 2021-22 campaign, with just four of those outings coming in the Premier League.
The defender still has another two years left to run on his deal at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months, but he seemingly does not have a future at the club.
© Reuters
Bailly has made 113 appearances for Man United since arriving from Villarreal in July 2016, contributing one goal and one assist in the process, with his most productive season coming in 2016-17, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
The centre-back has struggled with a number of fitness problems at Old Trafford, though, which has cost him the chance to nail down a regular spot in the side.
Martinez and fellow new signing Christian Eriksen are both in line to make their debuts for Man United in Saturday's clash with Atletico, having been selected in the squad for the clash in Norway.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the trip to Oslo amid the speculation surrounding his future, although the Portugal international has seemingly confirmed that he will be involved in Sunday's game against Rayo, which will represent Erik ten Hag's first home fixture at the helm.
