£30m Man Utd signing agrees move away from Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has agreed to join Turkish side Besiktas to end his seven-year association with the Red Devils.

The Turkish side confirmed his move late on Monday evening, with the centre-back not part of Erik ten Hag’s plans this season after spending last campaign on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Marseille.

The 29-year-old joined United for £30million from Villareal seven years ago but struggles with injuries meant he made just 113 appearances for the Red Devils.

A statement from the Turkish Super Lig side said: “Our club has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the final transfer of Ivorian defender Eric Bailly.

“We wish Eric Bailly, who we believe will provide important services to our club, great success with our glorious jersey, and present it to the public with our respect.”

The Turkish transfer window will remain open until September 15, with the Premier League deadline passing at 11pm on Friday night.

Bailly still had one year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford but has looked certain to leave the club after being left out of the squad for the club’s pre-season tour of the United States while he has not featured in any of the four Premier League matches so far this term.

The Daily Mail reports he had held talks with Fulham and Marseille but with the transfer deadline passing in England and France he has accepted a move to Turkey. He made 23 appearances for Marseille last season before his loan expired.

United have cover in central defence after signing Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans on a one-year deal late last week. The defender, who has been capped 102 times by his country, started his career at Old Trafford and won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his first spell with the club.