Arsenal and Tottenham to battle it out for Manchester United star in January

If reports from The Mirror are to be believed, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.

The 24-year-old Ivorian arrived at Old Trafford for a £30 million fee from Spanish outfit Villareal in 2016.

Ever since then, Bailly has hardly wasted any time in emerging as the best amongst United's current crop of defenders. However, a less-than-successful campaign in 2017-18 seems to have put his future at the club under doubt.

Bailly clearly didn't have enjoy one of his best days on the pitch when Jose Mourinho's men visited Brighton for their second league game of the season, only to lose 3-2 in the fixture.

Ever since then, the 24-year-old was dropped to the substitutes bench by Jose Mourinho for the game against Tottenham and has made cameos in the wins against Burnley and Watford.

The Ivory Coast international's relegation to the substitute's bench has alerted the London clubs.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a known admirer of the defender since his days in Spain. New Arsenal boss Unai Emery would also not say no to the defender who could be a valuable addition and help in shoring up the defence at the Emirates.

According to Manchester Evening News, United and Arsenal could also be set for a swap deal this January.

The clubs that saw Henrikh Mikhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez move in opposite directions last winter could also be ready to witness Eric Bailly and Mesut Ozil following in their footsteps.

German playmaker Ozil has fallen out of favour with Unai Emery and was on the radar of Jose Mourinho last summer.

Should any such possibility of signing the 29-year-old arise, the United boss and will make sure he leaves no stone unturned in getting his man in January.

It remains to be seen whether Manchester United agree on parting ways with Eric Bailly in the coming winter.