Not Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but this footballer is likely to be Jose Mourinho's first signing

London:Jose Mourinho`s first signing for Manchester United looks set to be highly-rated young Ivory Coast international defender Eric Bailly and not veteran Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic according to British media reports.

The 22-year-old Villarreal defender -- who scored one of the penalties in the penalty shootout which saw Ivory Coast win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations -- will cost United a reported 30million pounds (38.4million euros, $43.7million).

Bailly, who moved to Spain aged just 17 when he joined Villarreal`s rivals Espanyol, impressed last season as his side conceded just 35 goals in 38 league matches and also reached the Europa League semi-finals.

Bailly -- who cost Villarreal just £4.4million when he joined from Espanyol last year -- will have to work on his discipline on the pitch as he was booked 10 times last term and sent off once.

Ibrahimovic has been linked with a move to United -- having left French champions Paris Saint Germain at the end of the season just finished -- as he enjoyed a good relationship with Mourinho at Italian side Inter Milan.

However, the 34-year-old -- presently in training with the Swedish squad for Euro 2016 -- has toyed with questioners who have asked him if he was joining United.