AC Milan join Eric Bailly transfer race and are ready to fight Jose Mourinho for Man Utd defender

AC MILAN have reportedly joined the race to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.

The 28-year-old's chances of game time in the upcoming season were dealt another blow following the arrival of Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford.

Centre-back Martinez, who cost the Red Devils £55million, joins Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof in the list of players ahead of Bailly in Man Utd's squad.

As a result, the Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away this summer.

Roma are thought to be interested in acquiring his services, with manager Jose Mourinho the man who brought Bailly to Man Utd back in 2016.

But according to , they have now been joined in their pursuit of the defender by fellow Italian side AC Milan.

Stefano Pioli is keen to build on his thriving young squad after they claimed the club's first Serie A title in 11 years last season.

And Bailly is not the only Premier League player they are looking to sign.

Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech is another star plying his trade in England that Milan are keen to reach a deal for.

Ziyech, 29, is available to leave Stamford Bridge following the signing of Raheem Sterling.

Milan want the Moroccan but so far their efforts to sign him have failed as Chelsea were not keen on their loan offer.

But a deal could progress with the Blues dropping their asking price to £8.4million - £24.6m less than they signed him for in 2020.

The two clubs are said to have held talks this week after previous negotiations failed.