Exclusive: Leon Bailey has new Aston Villa exit route as Hull City deal collapses

Aston Villa's planned sale of winger Leon Bailey to Hull City has collapsed, sources have told Football Insider.

The Tigers have been closing in on a move for the Jamaica international, but it is now understood that the deal is off.

Villa have been keen to secure a permanent exit for the 28-year-old, but are now looking at other options to get him off their books.

Sources say that Bailey is currently attracting interest from several clubs in the Saudi Pro League, after his move to Hull has hit the rocks.

Middle Eastern clubs have been keeping an eye on developments and are now prepared to try and seal a deal with the Villans.

Bailey turned out 13 times for the second city outfit in the Premier League last term, but his future now appears to lie away from England.

Aston Villa get new Leon Bailey exit route

Villa have been working to sell Bailey since the start of the summer, having decided that he is not part of their long-term plans.

The wideman spent the first half of last season out on loan at Roma, and was only recalled out of necessity due to injuries elsewhere in the squad.

Unai Emery viewed him as a makeshift solution in the middle of the season, and hasn't hidden his desire to move the player on this summer.

Bailey's contract at Villa Park is due to expire in June 2027, and as a result, the Villans' recruitment team have been searching for a permanent move for him.

His move to Hull became a drawn-out process, and the chance of the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man joining the newly promoted outfit has now fallen through altogether.

However, Saudi Arabia could be about to provide a lucrative alternative for Villa and Bailey, with several clubs strong admirers of his quality.

Ollie Watkins' stance on Villa exit clear

Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Tuesday that Ollie Watkins has no intention of pushing for a move away this summer.

The Villans' star striker has been consistently linked with a move to Turkey in recent months, but is not keen on the idea of leaving.

Brown revealed that the England international has already made his stance clear to Emery, who also has now desire to lose another of his star men.

Villa have already lost the likes of Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne this summer, and the boss is keen to keep the remainder of his group intact.