An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their chances of landing Eric Bailly in the summer transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to the print edition of The Mirror, Manchester United are attempting to offload the central defender in the coming weeks.

The report claims that PIF have been given the green light to seal a deal as they have been offered the chance to sign him from the Red Devils.

It is stated that the Premier League giants will now demand a fee in the region of £8.5m for the out-of-favour centre-back.

Eddie Howe would love it

The Toon head coach would love Bailly at St. James' Park as it would give him the opportunity to turn the defender's career around.

Although he has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, the Ivorian has shown signs of promise over the years that suggest there is a talented player in there.

Howe has shown that he can revive a player's career as he turned Joelinton from a misfiring striker into a steamroller in midfield. The Brazilian won Newcastle's Player of the Season award for his efforts in 2021/22, after the head coach switched his position up during the first half of the campaign.

Now, we are not expecting Bailly to come in and be converted into an attacking midfielder but the Toon boss can work with him on the training pitch to help him find consistency in his performances.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously dubbed Bailly "immense" and his form in the Champions League last term offered a glimpse of what he is capable of. In two appearances in Europe, he averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.35 as he made five tackles, three interceptions, seven clearances and won 60% of his aerial duels.

He also showcased his quality at the African Cup of Nations as he averaged a score of 7.40 across three games in the tournament earlier this year. The defensive brute won 70% of his duels and made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game, illustrating the impact he can have when he is fit and firing.

Therefore, Howe will enjoy trying to get the best out of Bailly as he has shown that he has the potential to be an excellent defender when he is at the peak of his powers. He may not have been able to show that in the Premier League for Manchester United, given their willingness to sell him, but the Magpies can now test their luck with the 28-year-old.

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