Eric Bailly says he welcomes Manchester United’s push to sign a new defender but has warned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he will leave if he is not given a regular role in the starting XI.
The Ivory Coast international has struggled with a number of injuries since arriving at Old Trafford in 2016 but signed a new long-term deal with the Red devils last month.
It’s believed that Solskjaer is prioritising the signing of a new central defender this summer, with reports claiming that Raphael Varane is at the very top of the Norwegian manager’s shortlist.
The Frenchman has only one year remaining on his contract with Real Madrid this summer and Solskjaer’s side are looking to capitalise by making a £40 million bid.
And while Bailly has welcomed the possibility of a new arrival in his position, the 27-year-old defender says he will not settle for a place on the club’s bench.
‘Competition is always good to improve,’ Bailly told The Times. ‘I just say that I want to stay in case I get the chance to play. I don’t want to be a starter one game and a substitute for another five.
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‘If that happens I will have to look for another solution. ‘The new contract is fine but if I don’t play I will be open to listen to other proposals.’
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Speaking about his decision to sign a new contract with United, Bailly said he was convinced after his conversation with Solskjaer.
‘I spoke to him and he told me he wanted me to stay,’ said Bailly says.
‘The most important thing was not the renewal but the conversation we had: we sat down, we talked and he told me what he wanted from me and that he wanted me to continue.’
