Al Nassr are reportedly in talks to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly as they close in on a move for team-mate Alex Telles.
The Saudi Pro League side, who secured the signature of Cristiano Ronaldo in January, have already completed several high-profile signings this summer.
Midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana have both signed on the dotted line from Inter Milan and Lens respectively – and the club are now looking for defensive reinforcements.
One of those is set to come in the form of Telles, with the Daily Mail claiming that the £4 million move is now back on after initial confusion over whether it had fallen through.
Fabrizio Romano then reported that the deal is ‘done’ after Al Nassr sent contracts to United, with Telles due to undergo a medical on Friday.
The Brazilian left-back is said to have posed in an Al Nassr shirt, although official confirmation of the transfer has not yet been announced by the Saudi Arabian club or United.
Now, it has been reported that another player could follow Telles out of Old Trafford.
Al Nassr ‘want Man Utd defender Bailly’
According to football correspondent Marc Mechenoua, Al Nassr are in talks with Bailly as they look to reunite him with Telles and Ronaldo at the club.
Earlier this week, United confirmed their squad for their pre-season tour of the United States – and Bailly was one of several high-profile names not included.
Fabrizio Romano then reported that the Ivorian had been told he was no longer part of manager Erik ten Hag’s plans, with the Manchester Evening News adding that he had not reported to Carrington for the beginning of pre-season.
He played no part in United’s 1-0 win over Lyon at Murrayfield on Wednesday, and it seems almost certain that the 30-year-old centre-back has played his last game for the club after six injury-hit years at Old Trafford.
Telles, 30, has not made an appearance for United since Erik ten Hag was appointed manager last summer.
The Portuguese left-back spent last season on loan at Spanish club Sevilla, making 38 appearances in all competitions – helping them win the Europa League for a record seventh time.
He has one year left on his deal and United are prepared to sell the Portugal international to help raise transfer funds for Ten Hag, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia ahead of Telles in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Telles could be set to reunite with his compatriot Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League side, with Al Nassr in talks to sign the defender this summer.
“Al Nassr are closing in on deal to sign Alex Telles from Man United, here we go soon,” tweeted Romano.
“There’s verbal agreement now in place between the two clubs, waiting for the documents/check details.
“Al Nassr want both Seko Fofana and Telles to join in the next days.”
Telles has a friendship with Ronaldo and fiercely defended the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during his second spell at Old Trafford.
Speaking in March 2022 amid claims Ronaldo was a negative influence on the team, Telles said: “Cris has never been a problem for us. He’s always a solution.
“He helps us, he’s always willing to help us improve. Since he’s arrived he’s been humble enough to talk, learn and evolve.
“I believe he is a problem for others, not for us. He’s a solution for us.”
Ronaldo: I won’t return to Europe
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has ruled out a return to European football, insisting he is happy with his new life in Saudi Arabia.
“I’m 100 per cent sure I won’t return to any European club. They criticised me for coming to Saudi league, but what happened now? I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here,” he said on Monday.
“I won’t return to European football, the door is completely closed.
“I’m 38-years-old, also European football has lost lot of quality. The only league that for me has a lot of quality and is at a higher level than all the others is the Premier League.
“The Spanish league does not have that great quality. The Portuguese league is a good league, but it is not a top, top league. The German league I think has also lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia.
“In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”
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