Manchester United defender Eric Bailly could leave the club to join fellow Premier League outfit Fulham on transfer deadline day, according to a development featured on the Daily Mail’s transfer deadline day live stream.

Despite their interest, the Cottagers are reportedly unwilling to strike a deal for the 29-year-old if there is a fee involved – they will only pursue a move if United will let him leave on a free transfer.

On the stream, journalist Charlotte Daly said: “I’ve just been handed two pieces of news so I will just run through those. Fulham have made an offer to take Manchester United defender Eric Bailly on a two-year deal, but they want him to leave on a free transfer.”

Will Manchester United miss Eric Bailly?

Let’s be honest – how many of you were even aware that Bailly was still a contracted United player? He has not featured for the Red Devils in the Premier League since December 2021 – he spent the 2022/23 season out on loan at Marseille in Ligue 1.

Additionally, his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024 – so it makes sense to offload him now, even if there will be no fee involved for the player.

While talented, Bailly’s career has been severely marred by a series of injuries that have left him perpetually on the treatment table. If Fulham wish to bring him on board, this is something they will need to consider.

With this being said, we currently do not know how the player (or his agent) feels about the deal – if he does not want to make the jump to Craven Cottage, the move could collapse.

What other business has been conducted by United on transfer deadline day?

It has been a relatively busy transfer deadline day for the Red Devils so far. They have already announced the signing of Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and are on the cusp of completing deals to bring Sofyan Amrabat and Tottenham Hotspur’s Sergio Reguilon to the club (both on loan deals).

As things stand, there have yet to be any major outgoings at Old Trafford – however, if Fulham can strike a deal, Bailly could be the first to walk out of the exit door.