Leon Bailey set to leave Aston Villa as Emery shares new transfer priority
Unai Emery is facing new challenges at Aston Villa this summer, after his side failed to qualify for the Champions League again.
A controversial final-day loss against Manchester United means that Villa have to settle for a spot in the Europa League.
This significantly reduces the money that the Villans will have to play with this summer, and with PSR rules to comply with, there will have to be some departures.
After a disappointing campaign in Claret and Blue, Leon Bailey is one man who looks set to be sacrificed.
Emery wants Marco Asensio over Bailey
Although previously a key player for Aston Villa, Bailey has found himself falling further down the pecking order of late.
Injuries have hampered his progress, while the emergence of stronger stars has left Bailey out of favour.
Therefore, the 27-year-old has been identified as someone who can be let go, with reported interest from Saudi Arabia this summer.
According to journalist Sebastien Vidal (3 June), the departure is looming and once a sale has gone through, Emery is targeting the permanent addition of Marco Asensio as a priority.
The journalist states that Asensio is open to making the permanent move to Villa Park after a successful loan spell in the second half of the season.
| Compeition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Champions League | 8 | 3 | 0 |
Aston Villa are currently in the process of discussing a transfer of £13million with PSG.
Aston Villa have to show progression
Bailey is deserving of plenty of credit for what he has given to Aston Villa over the previous few years, but he is not at the forefront of the plans for progression.
At 27, Bailey seems to be a player in decline, and when the Villans need a cash boost, making a sale here seems like a no-brainer.
That is especially the case when there is an offer from Saudi Arabia to consider, which will no doubt soften the blow of finishing sixth in the Premier League this season.
The demands will be high at Villa Park next term, as the West Midlands outfit looks to push further up the table, while also targeting Europa League victory.
With that in mind, the boss can only take the strongest performers with him and knowing he can trust Asensio already is a certain boost.