Aston Villa ‘to receive silly money’ for Leon Bailey amid Saudi transfer news
Leon Bailey could be on his way out of Aston Villa after a largely forgettable season.
The Jamaica international managed a mere 14 starts in the Premier League this season and only found the back of the net once against relegated Leicester City.
Unai Emery has veered away from playing with wide forwards, where Bailey is at his best, resorting instead to narrower formations more suited to players like Morgan Rogers.
It means that Bailey’s stock has fallen in the West Midlands, and the latest transfer news could see him move this summer.
Saudi Arabian clubs show interest in Bailey
Villa have already been the beneficiaries of interest from Saudi Arabia, having sold Jhon Duran for a widely reported £64million in the winter transfer window.
They could be about to repeat the trick, with Sky Sports Switzerland reporting on Saturday (7 June) that the Saudi Arabian government is interested in bringing Bailey to the Middle East.
The 27-year-old is in the prime of his career, and with two years plus an option for a third remaining on his contract, any interested club would need to pay a substantial fee for Bailey.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that a club like Al-Nassr could offer as much as £50million for the winger, which he believes is excessive.
“Perhaps Al-Nassr will come in for Bailey,” King said.
“That is where Duran is playing, and that could help entice Bailey to join the club. That could be a decent signing in Saudi Arabia.
“Bailey is an exciting player. However, he isn’t consistent; he’s not like Rogers, for example, who turns in performances every week. This is an interesting situation.
“If a Saudi club is coming in for Bailey, they could offer as much as £50m. It will be silly money.”
Saudi Arabia saving Aston Villa
There is no doubt that the financial superpower that clubs within the Saudi Pro League possess is Villa’s likeliest route out of their money troubles.
The lucrative sale of Duran gave the club much-needed wiggle room, while Bailey could also join another colleague in Emi Martinez after his links with the Saudi Pro League.
These big-money transfers could prove vital in keeping Villa afloat, and could even fuel their ability to sign higher-end targets like Fermin Lopez.