Leon Bailey doubt emerges as Aston Villa close in on ‘messy’ new summer transfer
Dan Bardell believes that Jaden Philogene will be in direct competition with Leon Bailey next season once he signs for Aston Villa.
Fabrizio Romano reported on 12 July that the Villans have agreed a deal worth £13million with Hull City for the 22-year-old.
The transfer specialist has since reported (15 July) that the England youth international was set to undergo a medical ahead of his transfer.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has assessed where Philogene will fit in under Unai Emery after leaving Villa Park 12 months ago.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I was surprised that a deal was getting agreed with Villa.
“On the face of it, Philogene left Villa because he didn’t see a pathway to the first team. Now, since he’s been gone, they’ve accelerated even further forward than they were when he left.
“The left side is stacked and it remains to be seen whether or not he can play as a number ten. I think he’s most naturally a right winger and be in competition with Leon Bailey.
“I just think Villa have more options available than when he left. He obviously backs himself to come into Villa and make an impact. It has been a messy transfer.
“At one point there was no interest from Villa and then all of a sudden they’ve turned on that and agreed personal terms. Emery clearly rates him highly and wants him at the club.“
Aston Villa set to sign Jaden Philogene
The Villans have activated their matching clause in the winger’s contract to beat the likes of Ipswich Town and Everton to his signature.
This deal is certainly one that has come out of the blue, especially after selling him to the Tigers last summer.
It has to be said that Villa fans were frustrated to lose him after having a largely positive pre-season under Emery.
Now the Villans’ academy product looks set to return to Villa Park in a move which will benefit the homegrown quota ahead of the Champions League campaign.
Philogene is a young player with high potential and could prove to be a positive piece of business if he receives a fair share of game time.
In other Aston Villa news, Jhon Duran’s valuation has shocked an expert amid West Ham transfer news.
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