Sevilla are looking into the possibility of signing Manchester United defender Eric Bailly, according to reports in Spain.

The La Liga club’s Director of Football Joaquin Caparros has been tasked by head coach Pablo Machin to find a player who can strengthen their defence in the January transfer window.

One of the players on Caparros’s list is said to be Bailly. The Ivorian international performed well for Villarreal before moving to United for £30m in 2016.

The defender has struggled to establish himself since making the move to Old Trafford, and his sending off for a reckless tackle against Bournemouth will not help to endear him to new interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Bailly has also been linked with Arsenal and AC Milan in recent months with reports suggesting that United may be prepared to let the player leave for £18m. However, it appears Sevilla’s interest would only likely be for a loan deal.