Villa knocked back in winger pursuit; club record likely for deal
Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly rejected Aston Villa’s opening offer for in-demand winger Leon Bailey.
The Villans are known to be in the market for attacking reinforcements during the summer transfer widow. Dean Smith presided over a decent 2020-2021 campaign for the West Midlanders. But the manager is keen to push on and wants to improve his options in the final third.
Bailey would certainly do that as the Jamaica international is known as a speedy winger with an eye for goal. Not only a provider, he found the net 15 times in all competitions for Die Werkself last term.
Many clubs have been linked. Manchester United and Tottenham are said to have scouted him last season.
And Arsenal were also heavily linked with a move. However, it emerged earlier this week that Mikel Astea has concerned over the player’s attitude.
That seems to have cooled the Gunners’ interest and left Villa were at the front of the queue for his signature. Football Insider report that the Villa Park outfit tabled a £30m for the former Genk star.
That has been knocked back by the Germans who are seeking considerably more. It is not known exactly the figure they are looking for but Villa may need to break their transfer record.
That currently stands at the £33m they paid Norwich City for Emiliano Buendia. The deal could rise to £38m with add-ons, leaving Smith in no doubt as to the possible outlay for Bailey.
Bailey has eyes on Premier League
The Kingston-born ace will turn 24 in August and still has his best years ahead. It appears as though he would like them to be in England, with reports the wide man is a big fan of the Premier League.
Last summer he was linked with Manchester City as a potential replacement for Leroy Sane. Sane moved to Bayern Munich but there was no sign of the Caribbean star at the Etihad.
The City trail has now gone cold but Villa may well up their bid to try and get the del completed this summer. Capped 10 times by Jamaica, he has plenty of European experience, having made five Champions League appearances.
He has also played 28 times in the Europa League and could be a real star of the English top flight. Buendia has already shown what he is capable of doing in pre-season.
Villa fans will hope that another creative ace is in the ranks before the campaign gets under way.
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