Eric Bailly is set for a move to Manchester United Eric Bailly is set for a move to Manchester United

Villarreal defender Eric Bailly has passed a medical at Manchester United, according to Sky sources.

United faced stiff competition for the signature of the 22-year-old from the likes of Manchester City, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but they appear to have won the race for the Ivory Coast international's services.

Sky Sports News HQ understands that interest drove his transfer fee towards the region of £30m, with Bailly impressing in 25 La Liga appearances for Villarreal last season.

Bailly in action against Gareth Bale and Real Madrid

He joined Villarreal from Espanyol in January 2015 for a fee of around £5m as a replacement for Gabriel Paulista, who had moved to Arsenal earlier that month.

Bailly has won 14 caps for his country and was part of the Ivory Coast side which won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, with the defender scoring a penalty in the shootout against Ghana in the final.

Although he does not view Bailly as the finished article just yet, Sky Sports' La Liga expert Terry Gibson believes it will be good business by Manchester United if the deal goes through.

Bailly won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 with the Ivory Coast

"Bailly is a fast, tall, athletic and strong central defender, who is particularly good when faced with one-on-one situations," he said.

"When in possession he likes to run out from the back with the ball and has even looked comfortable in these situations when he has played as a right-back for Villarreal, venturing forward and not looking out of place in attacking play."