Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that Eric Bailly is being ‘considered’ as a possible West Ham United transfer target.
The Hammers seem to be caught in a notable defensive crisis at the moment, with centre-backs with Craig Dawson, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd all out injured at the moment, as well as the expected departure of Issa Diop.
With that in mind, it would be no shock if West Ham went out and signed a new man to fill the gap in that position, especially as right-back Ben Johnson was forced to play in the middle of defence during the club’s 2-0 opening-day Premier League loss to Manchester City.
One man who could be brought in to solve the crisis is Manchester United defender Bailly, who was named as an option in a recent update on The West Ham Way Patreon page.
Indeed, Ex said: “I have also been told that the club are considering moving for Eric Bailly, the Manchester United defender who plays for the Ivory Coast and is an international teammate of [Maxwel] Cornet.
“It looks like he could be available for a reasonable fee, around £8m or a loan, but at the moment is on the way to link up with his former manager at United, Jose Mourinho at Roma.
“Bailly was Mourinho’s first signing at Manchester United. If this move doesn’t happen, however, we could be interested.”
Do West Ham need to sign another centre-back?
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TIF Thoughts on Eric Bailly and West Ham…
Interestingly, the centre-back is friends with Maxwel Cornet, who was congratulated by the centre-back after joining West Ham United.
With 70 Premier League appearances (including 24 clean sheets) for ‘top six’ outfit Manchester United, Bailly would theoretically be an oven-ready option to come in and help West Ham immediately.
On top of that, with Ex stating that the defender could be available at just £8m, or even on a loan, he wouldn’t exactly break the bank if he was to be signed this summer.
However, the Hammers may struggle to convince him to join, with Italian media claiming that Roma are indeed closing in on a deal that would take Bailly off the market, though it certainly seems like one to keep an eye on.