Man United’s £30m man moves close to agreeing exit with talks to rip up contract

Eric Bailly may be on the verge of leaving Manchester United for Besiktas with the Premier League giants reportedly meeting to terminate his £80,000-a-week contract.

While the Saudi Pro League has become something of a useful dumping ground for English clubs looking to trim the fat from a bloated squad – yes, we are looking at you Chelsea – Manchester United are instead making very good use of another cash-rich division. One who’s window remains open beyond the Premier League’s first-of-the-month deadline.

Turkish clubs have until September 15th to bring in new players. As such, talks between Galatasaray and Donny Van de Beek are still ongoing. The sale of Fred to Fenerbahce, meanwhile, added £8 million to Ten Hag’s transfer kitty.

And, according to Sport Digitale reporter Sercan Dikme, Eric Bailly is on the verge of joining Fred in the Turkish capital; a move to Besiktas back on after negotiations seemingly ran aground in August.

Eric Bailly could leave Manchester United at last

“Besiktas have signed a one-year deal with Eric Bailly. There is also an option (for a further) year,” Dikme says on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Eric Bailly is currently meeting with Manchester United for the termination of his contract. If he terminates his contract, he will be transferred to Besiktas.”

According to Sky Sports, Bailly had reservations about moving to Turkey a few weeks ago. But after a number of Saudi Arabian suitors opted to look elsewhere – Al Nassr shifting their focus from United to City as they brought in Aymeric Laporte – Old Trafford’s £30 million forgotten man appears to have gone full circle.

Following in Fred’s footsteps

Besiktas might not have been his number one choice. But, with any rival suitors slamming down the shutters, Bailly is facing up to the prospect of following Fred to Turkey or spending the next few months collecting cobwebs at Carrington.

Man United, meanwhile, will welcome the chance to cut ties with a player who, injury-prone and out of favour, is little more than a drain on Ten Hag’s resources these days with his eye-watering £80,000-a-week contract (Spotrac).