Catalan daily newspaper Sport has learned that Villarreal are set to complete the signing of Ivorian defender Eric Bertrand Bailly from Espanyol.
The Yellow Submarine needed to act quickly after Gabriel Paulista received a work permit ahead of a move to Arsenal and they did well to secure the signature of the 20-year-old defender.
According to Sport, Villarreal have had a €5.75 million proposal accepted by Espanyol, with Bailly set to sign a five-year contract with the El Madrigal outfit.
Los Periquitos will only receive half of said transfer fee considering that Promoesport company owns the other half.
Eric Bailly came through the youth ranks at Espanyol, and this has been his first ever season in the senior side, with the centre-back making five La Liga appearances.
The youngster was surprisingly named in Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations squad and has started both matches for the Elephants at the tournament finals.
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