Jose Mourinho vows to turn Man United new boy Eric Bailly into the world's best defender
JOSE MOURINHO is backing Eric Bailly to become one of the world’s top defenders after making the 22-year-old his first signing as Manchester United boss in a £30million deal.
That would make the Ivory Coast international the club’s most expensive ever defensive recruit, eclipsing the £29.1m United paid Leeds in 2002 for Rio Ferdinand, who has been tipped to join Mourinho’s newlook coaching team.
Bailly has played just 52 senior club games for Espanyol and then Villarreal, helping Villarreal finish fourth in La Liga last season and get to the Europa League semi-finals.
But Mourinho has seen enough in the centre-back – who also helped his country win the 2015 African Nations Cup – to believe he will be a major success at Old Trafford.
“Eric is a young central defender who has great natural talent. He’s progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around,” said Mourinho.
“We look forward to working with him to help nurture that raw talent and fulfil his potential. Eric is at the right club to continue his development.”
Bailly joined Villarreal in January, 2015 for just £4.5m as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Gabriel, but has seen his value rocket since thanks to his commanding performances.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were said to be interested in Bailly but United clinched the deal, which could be extended by a further two years.
Eric Bailly - 5 things you need to know
And like Mourinho, Bailly believes he is in the right place to take his career to new heights in a league that will bring the best out of him.
He said: “When United were mentioned I didn’t have to think twice.
“To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do. I want to progress to be the best I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club.
“It is a different style to Spanish football. It’s more physical and maybe more direct as well. It’s a style I’ve always liked and it will suit me.
“I hope I can get used to it and start to enjoy it over the coming months, years and seasons. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and to starting this new chapter of my life.”
First glimpse of Eric Bailly at Manchester United
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The arrival of Bailly, subject to the granting of a work permit, launches what could be a busy summer of transfer activity as Mourinho makes his mark at United.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to complete his arrival on July 1, while Paul Pogba is on United’s wishlist if they can persuade the midfielder to return to Old Trafford from Juventus and forego a season on Champions League football.
Mourinho will also look to move on several players he does not see as part of his plans with Bailly’s transfer possibly hastening the departure of Daley Blind and Phil Jones as the former Chelsea boss begins rebuilding from the back.
