A phone call from Jose Mourinho was enough to convince the ex-Espanyol and Villarreal man against choosing the blue half of Manchester.
A number of high-profile clubs in Europe were eying up a move for Eric Bailly in 2016 after the defender had put in several eye-catching performances that season.
Among those interested in signing the center-half were Spanish powerhouses FC Barcelona and English giants Manchester City.
The Sky Blues, in particular, were keen on acquiring his services as the club looked to strengthen their squad after having just signed Pep Guardiola on a three-year deal that summer.
However, he snubbed interest from Man City and instead opted to join their bitter rivals Manchester United.
The Ivory international recently opened up his £30 million transfer as he reveals Jose Mourinho, who had just taken charge at Man United back then, played a big role.
Bailly told Mundo Deportivo: “In the summer of 2016 there were many rumors.
“I was in Ivory Coast, in the dining room at home with my mother when the phone rang. It was a Portuguese number; Mourinho. He told me to come with him, that he liked me since he saw me with Espanyol and Villarreal.
“Manchester City were also interested, but if Mourinho calls you, you can’t say no.
“You can’t say no to Barca either. It just didn’t happen because the interest was not public or so explicit.”
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