Foot Africa
·27 June 2025
Villarreal: Éric Bailly on the verge of departure

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Yahoo sportsFoot Africa
·27 June 2025
Éric Bailly set to leave Villarreal this summer
éric bailly on facebook
Before July 1—the official opening date of the summer transfer window—the transfer market is already in full swing. Ivorian defender Éric Bailly looks set to leave Spanish club Villarreal.
The split between Éric Bailly and Villarreal is about to become official. The Ivorian international, whose contract expires on June 30, will not be offered an extension by the Spanish side. This decision comes in light of his limited playing time in recent months: he has played just one minute across the last nine matches.
Yet, Bailly's return to Villarreal at the start of the season had initially sparked optimism. Solid, experienced, and combative, the Ivorian international from Manchester United seemed to rediscover his form. However, tactical choices from the coach and fierce competition in defense gradually reduced his influence, ultimately relegating him to the bench.
Set to become a free agent in just a few days, Bailly is already attracting plenty of interest. Two clubs are reportedly keen on his services, proving that despite this challenging spell, his profile is still in demand. According to the latest reports, Espanyol Barcelona is among the most interested sides. Trabzonspor, from Turkey, have also expressed an interest in the former Manchester United player.
A situation to watch closely...