Report: £7m West Ham target could leave English club for Payet’s Marseille

French newspaper L’Equipe report that Marseille are set to intensify their efforts in the race to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly – who remains a target for West Ham this summer. It might be that he joins Dimitri Payet’s side.

Bailly, 28, managed just seven appearances for United last season. He has endured a difficult time during his six-year stint at Old Trafford and it appears this summer, he could be off. His contract is due to expire in June 2024.

Reports claim West Ham are pursuing a deal, with only £7million needed to lure in the Ivory Coast international in the coming weeks. It would see Manchester United take a £23million hit on their £87,000-a-week defender.

However, West Ham may find that Marseille beat them to it – and sign Bailly. So, the ex-Villarreal defender could end up alongside Hammers icon Payet – instead of actually joining the Hammers. Marseille are pushing.

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Firstly, West Ham desperately need a centre-back. Issa Diop has now made the move to London rivals Fulham, meaning the Hammers only have Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma and the currently-injured Nayef Aguerd.

So, signing a centre-back will be of the utmost importance. Bailly would be a very astute signing, especially given his bargain price tag. He would likely start too. But Bailly may prefer Marseille, given they are in the Champions League.

Certainly, Marseille have just brought in Alexis Sanchez, too. A properly good signing for the French club. So it might be that the lure of Marseille, who need to replace William Saliba, is too much for West Ham to fight against.

Bailly might end up becoming Payet’s teammate. West Ham would have to look elsewhere to solve their lack of options in the middle of the defence. Bayern Munich’s Tanguy Nianzou is reportedly an option.

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