Tottenham should consider signing Eric Bailly in January

Reports have surfaced that Mauricio Pochettino is very interested in signing Man United defender Eric Bailly in the January transfer window.

Eric Bailly was the first player Jose Mourinho signed when he became the Red Devils manager back in 2016 and made Bailly his number one centre-back immediately.

Ever since then, Bailly’s playing time under Mourinho has dramatically declined. The 24-year old was embarrassingly substituted off just 18 minutes into United’s 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle last weekend.

He’s only seen playing time in five games this season, and it’s unlikely that he will make his way back into the starting lineup with Manchester United.

The question is will United sell him? The club has voiced they won’t let him go for less than the 30 million euros they paid for Bailly in 2016.

Pochettino has said he wants to go on a hefty spending spree in January up to 85 million euros, constantly saying that his club needs more quality.

Tottenham’s weakest link is their back line, and frankly, Eric Bailly needs a fresh start. The whole energy around Manchester United is not a healthy situation and he isn’t getting the playing time that he should be.

According to the Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho stated after the last match that he doesn’t have defenders who can play the ball out from the back line, which falls partly on the shoulders of Bailly.

United legend Rio Ferdinand also said on BT sport that “There is no way back for Bailly, especially after his early substitution against Newcastle”.

What he could bring to Tottenham

Right now Tottenham’s primary centre-back is Toby Alderweireld, but he’s been linked to rumours in the past with a move to Manchester United. Right now, that’s not necessarily a possibility, but we don’t know what news could surface come January. If not in January, it could even happen next summer where they do a swap for the two defenders.

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I personally think Eric Bailly can’t wait till next summer to see if he gets playing time with the Red Devils. The whole situation with Jose Mourinho is so dysfunctional and I really don’t see him becoming a first choice on a weekly basis for United.

He is a very good defender who would bring quality to Tottenham. Bailly is extremely physical on the ball and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line. He’s also very good when it comes to aerial duels. He’s a very strong young man who plays very hard every time he’s on the pitch.

He would give Mauricio Pochettino more options in the back and it would give him a fresh start with a new club.

Will United sell Eric Bailly in January or keep him till next summer? Only time will tell.

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