Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey is no stranger to speculation about his future.
The winger has been courted by a host of Premier League heavyweights at some point with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, all of whom previously credited an interest in securing his signature.
Leon Bailey may be on his way to the Premier League! ?
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) July 21, 2021
Bailey once again attracts admiring glances from these beaches with Aston Villa desperate to secure their services, but – as was exclusively revealed by 90 minutes recently – they now face stiff competition from Everton, Wolves and Southampton.
With the Jamaica international possibly on its way to England this summer (again), we have given you an overview of everything you need to know about the talented winger …
Leon Bailey has had to fight his way to the top / YORICK JANSENS / Getty Images
Bailey’s path to top-level football has been anything but ordinary.
The winger started at the Jamaica-based soccer school Phoenix All-Star Academy before he and his stepfather went to Europe in search of a club.
After trying his luck in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands, Bailey impressed during a trial at KRC Genk, although the Belgian side could not offer him a contract because he was only 15.
A preliminary contract was signed – something that is not allowed in Belgium – and after the authorities found out about the said agreement, Bailey was forced to move back to Jamaica.
He eventually returned to Europe where he signed for Austrian Liefering before moving to the Slovak kit AS Trencin. Since 2015, his career went in full circle and he ended up back in Genk – truly a story for his grandchildren.
Leon Bailey during his time at Genk / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce / Getty Images
You may not think it will be very good to be named the best young player in the Belgian league, but when you hear the list of previous winners, you realize that it’s a big deal.
Bailey was awarded the Young Belgian Footballer of the Year 2015/16 during his time with Genk and joined an honor roll including Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel and Vincent Kompany.
Aston Villa striker Wesley won the award two years after Bailey, and if Villans secures Jamaica’s signature, they hope he has more luck in the Premier League than the Brazilian.
While Bailey can regularly be found speaking in glowing terms about Jamaica in interviews, his relationship with the national side has not always been smooth.
The Leverkusen winger has openly admitted that he has had problems with the Jamaican FA in the past, and his stepfather is also adamant that he would never play for his country.
After accepting a call to the senior side in 2018, Bailey went back on his decision after the Jamaican FA refused to bow to his demand to call his brother (who is also a football player) with him – a bit strange.
Eventually, he quit his diva-like demands and he finally made his international debut in 2019.
Leon Bailey is now a Jamaica international / Matthew Ashton – AMA / Getty Images
Given the problems he originally had with Jamaica, it’s probably no surprise to hear Bailey explore his options.
There were thoughts that the winger could be eligible to play for England earlier in his career, with fans taking to social media to ask Bailey to switch his allegiance to the Three Lions.
Rumor had it that two of Bailey’s grandparents had British passports, but since they were not born in England, he did not qualify to play for the Three Lions.
Too bad, we’m sure Gareth Southgate would have been happy to take his brother with him …
Leon Bailey is said to have rejected United in favor of a move to Leverkusen / Pool / Getty Images
We have already mentioned that Bailey has previously aroused interest from some of Europe’s big hitters, but Manchester United’s interest is said to have seen them go so far as to place a bid.
Before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2017, the Red Devils tried to lure the child to the Premier League light, and the only thing that stopped the move was that Bailey rejected them for transfer to the Bundesliga!
Well, it seems to have been pretty good for him, but it’s still a bit underway.
Leon Bailey has flash / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images
Of course, you’re probably wondering what kind of player we can see coming to the Premier League this summer, so here you go …
Bailey’s pace is easily one of his best attributes and although he is predominantly left-footed, he can also cut to the right,
Given that he can play with both feet, he is comfortable on either side of a front three or in midfield four, but the former fits best in his style of play because he has proven to have a decent eye for the goal.
Bailey’s incredible free kick against Bayern Munich a few seasons ago showed his ability from dead ball situations, and all teams that are lucky enough to sign him get an absolute gem.
