Chelsea, who have already signed Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund this window, have now enquired about Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, according to his agent.
Craig Butler, Bailey’s agent and stepfather, has revealed that Chelsea and Real Madrid have contacted him about the winger who took Europe by storm last season.
Who is Leon Bailey? Five things to know…
- Age: 21 (09/08/1997)
- Position(s): Left winger, right winger
- Senior career path: Genk (2015-2017) Bayer Leverkusen (2017-present)
- Total senior appearances: 144
- Key fact: Although born in Jamaica, Bailey is eligible to play for England having only represented Jamaica at U23 level.
Last season, Bailey made the continent take notice of him in his second Bundesliga season, scoring nine goals and assisting six. However, this season he has just one goal and one assist in the Bundesliga.
One reason for this drop in form has been a lack of game time with Bailey only completing just six 90 minute games this season.
Responding to speculation regarding a move away from Leverkusen, Butler told SportBild (via the Mirror): “Top clubs have come forward, Real and Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Roma.
“In recent months they have been surprised that Leon plays so seldom, wondering why a top league player like him is suddenly sitting on the bench.”
This lack of game time came under Heiko Herrlich who was sacked by Leverkusen in the Bundesliga winter break. This has given Bailey’s agent more hope for the near future.
He continued: “I am very happy that this change has come about. Leon did not develop under Heiko Herrlich.
“For Leon it is very important that he enjoys football, he lives alone in Germany, the family is in Jamaica, and if Leon does not have fun, it kills him.”
Do Chelsea need Leon Bailey?
That is the big question. Do Chelsea actually need Leon Bailey? As it stands it’s very possible that they could need him. Maybe not immediately, but the landscape of Chelsea’s frontline could change massively by the summer.
Of course, they have already signed Christian Pulisic, but with the possibility of multiple departures they will need to fill holes quickly.
The cloud surrounding Eden Hazard’s transfer to Real Madrid never seems to go away and with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Willian both linked with moves away, that could leave Chelsea with just two wingers at the club this summer.
However, if the transfer of Pulisic is anything to go by, then a move for Bailey might not be off the cards.
Similar to Pulisic, Bailey is a promising young talent with experience of Bundesliga and European football. With this, and the promise Bailey showed last season in mind, the Chelsea board may be tempted to make a move for him.
But the 21-year-old will not come cheap and any potential transfer could hinge on who departs Stamford Bridge first.
The post Chelsea have enquired after Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, says agent appeared first on Squawka News.
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