Manchester United-bound Eric Bailly has only played 40 top-flight matches... so, why is Jose Mourinho ready to spend £30m on the Villarreal defender?
* Manchester United are closing in on £30m signing of defender Eric Bailly
* Ivorian defender set to become first Jose Mourinho signing at Old Trafford
* The 22-year-old has only only played 40 top-flight matches in Spain
* So, why is Mourinho prepared to splash so much on Bailly?
If, as expected, Manchester United complete the £30million signing of Eric Bailly from Villarreal, rarely will so much money have been paid for someone who has played so few games.
Sportsmail looks at the incredible rise of the 22-year-old set to become Jose Mourinho's first signing at Old Trafford.
It's been meteoric?
Some players don't need much time to convince watching scouts and managers that they are worth investing time and money in and that has been the story of Bailly's career. He was taken from Africa to Espanyol on the basis of one outstanding performance in a trial game.
Ivory Coast made him an ever-present starter in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign after he had played just two friendlies for them. Villarreal signed him from Espanyol after he had played just five games in La Liga. And now only 35 matches later Mourinho has seen enough and wants him at Manchester United.
The Ivory Coast defender has only played 40 La Liga matches for Villarreal and Espanyol
When did he first come to the fore in Spain?
In January of last year when Villarreal sold Gabriel Paulista to Arsenal for £11.2m and needed a replacement. They didn't put up much of a fight over losing Gabriel because they new they had found the perfect replacement in the £4.4m two-footed centre-back who can also play as a full back.
And he had only played five games for Espanyol?
They did not want to lose him but they only owned 50 per cent of his rights and as they did not have the money to buy him outright – they have since been taken over by Chinese investors but were struggling at the time – and they had to let him go.
Did he slot straight into Gabriel's boots at El Madrigal?
So much so that he is about to follow him to the Premier League. Villarreal buy young players that they know they will sell for a sizeable mark-up further down the line but even they are surprised at the prospect of losing Bailly this soon.
It was tough when he turned up and had to compete with experienced pair Mateo Musacchio and Victor Ruiz but he became first choice in less than a year.
The 22-year-old, who has already played for the Ivory Coast 15 times, joined Villarreal in January 2015
Did he take time to adapt at Villarreal?
He was away on international duty playing in the African Cup of Nations that Ivory Coast won when he signed. He had had been a late call-up to the squad having just played two friendlies but he started all six games and scored a penalty as Ghana were beaten on spot-kicks in the final.
Back at Villarreal, coach Marcelino set about polishing the rough diamond. He has been giving him extra defensive drills ever since signing him and it now falls to Mourinho to complete his education. He has always had pace and a great leap and his positioning has improved thanks to that painstaking correction by the Villarreal coach.
He has no shortage of confidence – too much at times – and Mourinho will look to curb a tendency to take risks in the wrong areas of the pitch, but the raw talent is there in abundance and he is comfortable anywhere across the back four.
Is he ready for the Premier League?
It's the lack of experience that will be the immediate concern. He is a gifted athlete, a fierce competitor and an exemplary professional. Tactically he has needed to play catch up having had such limited top-flight experience in Europe.
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ERIC BAILLY CAREER STATS
Espanyol B (2013-14) – 21 apps, 0 goals
Espanyol (2014-15) – 5 apps, 0 goals
Villarreal (2015-) – 46 apps, 1 goal
Ivory Coast (2015-) – 15 apps, 0 goals
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He took a late interest in football in his home country and the scouts from Promoesport, who spotted him when he was 15 and brought him over to Espanyol's youth academy, had to watch in frustration as his progress was blighted by bureaucracy. He could not make his Espanyol debut until he was 18 because he did not have the correct paperwork. He trained and played friendlies until finally he could make his bow with the club's youth side.
He made just 21 appearances for them before then Espanyol manager Sergio Gonzalez gave him his first-team debut in January 2015 in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal, who then signed him five games later. He was on Barcelona's list of possible signings this summer and his speed of recovery and versatility would have made him perfect for Luis Enrique's defence. If United sign him instead it will be real coup.
What is he like off the pitch?
Shy and polite are the two words that most often come up when speaking to people at Espanyol and Villarreal. He speaks perfect Spanish despite only having been in Spain for four years and will perfect his English quickly. He is bright and intelligent and he will do as he is told by Mourinho, who, should the signing go through, will have the perfect opportunity to show he can nurture young talent.
Bailly (right) is a gifted athlete but his lack of experience could be a concern for United supporters
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