Jose Mourinho's past comments have offered Newcastle United fans an insight into what the Magpies might be getting in Eric Bailly this summer. Bailly has been reportedly offered to Newcastle by Manchester United this summer at a cut-rate price, with the Magpies keen to explore all possible avenues to improve their defensive options.
Currently, Newcastle's top target is Lille defender Sven Botman, who they were also chasing in January. Botman is said to remain keen on a move to Newcastle but talks have been frustrated by Lille playing hardball over the Dutch defender.
Newcastle may need to look elsewhere if they don't end up landing Botman, which could see them move for Bailly.
The 28-year-old was signed by Mourinho in 2016 for £30m from Villarreal, winning man of the match on his Premier League debut. However, following a reasonable first season at Old Trafford, injuries began to take their toll on the defender which limited his minutes for Manchester United.
He made just seven appearances in all competitions last season, with Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof ahead of the Ivorian international in the pecking order. With Newcastle looking to build this summer, a move to Tyneside could help resurrect Bailly's career.
And Bailly's former boss Mourinho has previously hailed the centre-back effusively.
"He is a team boy, he is a great boy," said Mourinho in pre-season back in 2018. "He is an honest man, always ready to give everything for the team. That is why we have him, why we still have him and why he is going to stay.
"Football teams need people like him, like [Ander] Herrera; this kind of people where the club is more important than anything else."
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