Espanyol are plotting a January move for Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.

Sport says Espanyol will move for their ex-youth player Bailly if current centre-back Mario Hermoso is snapped up by Real Madrid.

Hermoso is interesting Real due to a €15m buy-back clause when he moved to Espanyol from the Bernabeu. However, the report says that as Real own 50% of Hermoso's future rights, the deal would effectively only cost €7.5m.

With Bailly costing United £30m in 2016, Espanyol would be unlikely to afford their former defender if he - whether that be on loan or on a permanent transfer.

But as first team opportunities are limited for Bailly, it seems a transfer away might be his only option.