Manchester United are reportedly willing to listen to cut-price offers for Eric Bailly – with a journalist claiming the Red Devils are willing to take a £21.5m hit on the central defender.

The Ivorian signed for United in a £30m deal from Villarreal in summer 2016; the first signing at United under then-boss Jose Mourinho. However, despite a promising first season, Bailly has struggled to establish himself for the Red Devils. Indeed, in six seasons at United, he has made just 113 appearances in all competitions.

As a result, Bailly has slipped down to fifth-choice centre-back in the United pecking order. United count Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof all ahead of him. And there were times through the 2021/22 campaign when Ralf Rangnick called upon Phil Jones ahead of the 28-year-old Bailly.

Despite his lack of action, United surprisingly decided to extend Bailly’s deal in April last year. That new long-term arrangement ties him to the club through to summer 2024 – and United also retain an option to extend that by a further year.

However, Bailly is not in new manager Erik ten Hag’s plans and reports recently claimed he is up for sale this summer.

Now French journalist Ignazio Genuardi claims United are so desperate to be rid of Bailly that they have let it be known they will accept a hugely-reduced fee.

He claims United will accept as little as £8.5m for the defender – a loss of some £21.5m on their initial investment.

Marseille and Lyon are both reportedly keen, with the former also failing with a loan approach in the January window.