AC Milan are monitoring Eric Bailly's future at Manchester United and are interested in making a January move for the outcast defender, claims ESPN.
Bailly was the first signing Jose Mourinho made as United boss in 2016 and the former Villarreal defender quickly emerged as a star-in-the-making for the Red Devils.
The Ivory Coast international has struggled to stay fit for prolonged periods since moving to England but has arguably produced the finest defensive displays of any centre-back at the club under Mourinho.
However, Bailly has bizarrely dropped completely out of favour under Mourinho since the turn of the year and has already been linked with moves to the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal.
Mourinho lamented United's failure to sign a new centre-back in the summer and the Portuguese is expected to force through a deal for a new defender when the January transfer window opens.
Milan are now interested in prising Bailly away from United as a result and selling abroad rather than to a direct rival would certainly appeal to United if they are open to selling the 24-year-old.
One of the defenders Mourinho is reportedly interested in is Milan ace Alessio Romagnoli and it would not be a surprise if United tried to use Bailly as bait in an attempt to sign the Italy international.
Bailly's current United deal is due to expire at the end of next season and discussions about an extension have not yet taken place, though the defender is settled in Manchester and at United.
However, the Ivory Coast international is growing increasingly disillusioned by a lack of playing time at United and fears he has lost Mourinho's faith.
Bailly has only made five Premier League appearances so far this season and appears no closer to breaking into the first-team after being left out of the matchday squad for Saturday's 2-1 win away to Bournemouth.
Since making his United debut in the 2016/17 campaign, the Red Devils have a superior win ratio in the league when Bailly has started (63.2%) compared to games he has not featured from the off (51%).
