Exclusive: Aston Villa to accept Leon Bailey offer as the ‘real’ recall reason is revealed
Aston Villa will accept any suitable offers for winger Leon Bailey this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Unai Emery remains clear in his stance that he sees no long-term future for the 28-year-old at Villa Park, and as a result, he is keen to offload him permanently ahead of next season.
The Villans initially loaned the Jamaica international out to Roma before recalling him in January, but sources say that Emery only took that decision in order to ensure that his team had sufficient depth to maintain their push for Champions League qualification.
Aston Villa forfeited the chance of selling Bailey to Roma at the end of that deal, but it has since become clear that they will look to get him off their books regardless at the end of the campaign.
- Read More: ‘Never wear the shirt again’ – Aston Villa fans explode after what Leon Bailey did vs Leeds
How much would Aston Villa want for Leon Bailey?
Bailey made his first start since his return to his parent club in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, and supporters wasted no time in making their frustrations over the wideman clear.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star was eventually replaced by Jadon Sancho in the 61st minute, after a quiet display that has prompted several sections of the fanbase to demand that he is sold at the next opportunity.
That now looks set to happen this summer, as there is seemingly no route back for him long-term, once Villa’s injury issues have died down.
Bailey’s loan move to Roma included the option for the Italian side to buy him for a fee of £19million at the end of the season, and it is clear that Villa have little hope of being able to net a significant sum for him.
The fact that he is set to enter the final year of his contract in the summer will knock his value even further, and could even prompt the second city outfit to reduce their previous asking price.
Bailey enjoyed an electric campaign when he notched 19 Premier League goal involvements in 2023-24, but that total is higher than his final tally from his other three full seasons in England combined.
- Read More: Stefan Borson: This is how much Aston Villa will be fined after breaching financial rules
Villa face fresh £8m UEFA fine
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider on Monday that Villa could face a fine of up to £8m if they are found to have breached UEFA’s financial regulations again.
The Villans failed to comply with UEFA’s squad cost rules last year, and they are in danger of suffering the same fate this time around.
They were only fined £5.2m for their misdemeanour last term, but that could potentially increase as high as the £8m mark this time around, after UEFA lowered the compliance for clubs from 80 per cent of their revenue in 2024, down to 70 per cent.
Villa are already toeing the line in terms of the Premier League’s PSR restrictions, and they could now be about to face a further financial punishment from the European governing body.
If they are ultimately found guilty and fined, then it could mean that another summer of limited spending is on the cards.
To find out who could be leaving Villa alongside Bailey this summer, check out the latest updates on Villa News.