Villarreal chief confirms club are in negotiations over Manchester United target Eric Bailly

Villarreal boss Fernando Roig Nogueroles has confirmed the club have received a bid for their sought-after defender Eric Bailly. The Ivorian is rumoured to have attracted interest from Manchester United and could soon become the club's first signing of the Jose Mourinho era.

Bailly, 22, is considered to be one of the most highly-rated young defenders in European football, having excelled with Villarreal last season. United are reportedly at the front of the queue for his signature and are prepared to spend €40m (£34.6m, $49.9m) to seal the deal.

Nogueroles confirmed the club are currently locked in negotiations to sell the player, although he refused to reveal whether United are the side they are talking to. "There is a team that is very interested and if the three parties agree there will be no problems," Nogueroles said amid United's reported interest, according to Marca. "If the player wants to leave and Manchester are interested and pay, we will reach an agreement."

The reported United target signed for Villarreal in 2015 and was among the best-performing defenders in La Liga last season. In addition to United, he has also been linked to the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Bailly could soon be joined at Old Trafford by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has revealed he will announce his next club on Tuesday (7 June). The record-breaking Swedish striker is available on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season.