MANCHESTER CITY had the chance to sign new United defender Eric Bailly for just £6M last summer but rejected him, SunSport can reveal.
The 22-year-old was offered to City as rising star of the future before he joined Villarreal in 2015.
Eric Bailly (l) played inthe Community Shield for United – but could have signed for City last year
Manchester United moved quickly to sign Bailly for £30million – but he could have been a City player
But Etihad chiefs and ex-boss Manuel Pellegrini refused to take a punt on him before he joined bitter rivals Manchester United for £30m this summer.
A City source said: “They didn’t fancy him at the time and Pep had his own targets this window.
“He wanted to bring in Aymeric Laporte but that didn’t happen and he wanted to bring in John Stones from Everton, as everyone knows.
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“Pep wants ball playing central defenders and didn’t see Bailly as a good fit. He also fancies bringing in Leonardo Bonucci.
“City were stunned at the £30m price tag he went for if truth be told.”
Bailly has been settling into Manchester life with the help of fellow Ivory Coast ace Yaya Toure.
The pair are pals from international duty and have been going out for dinner together.
Former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini did not take a punt on Frenchman Bailly
Bailly made 35 appearances for Villarreal last season after joining them from Espanyol.
City signed Stones today for £47.5m on a six-year deal after a protracted summer chase of the former Everton man.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to sign for City and now the deal's done I'm looking forward to the next stage in my career."
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