Rashford and Watkins react to Leon Bailey’s message amid Aston Villa exit links
Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins have both reacted to a new update from Leon Bailey as rumours around his future at Aston Villa continue to circle.
Villa enjoyed another decent season under Unai Emery last time out, but Bailey’s influence on their fortunes waned in comparison to previous campaigns.
The pacey winger joined the Villans from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 for a fee of £25million [BBC], and he impressed in his first few seasons at the club, and scored 14 times in 52 appearances in 2023/24.
He netted just twice in all competitions last term though, amid more competition for places with Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen, and former club scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider back in February that Villa were planning to accept transfer offers for Bailey this summer.
The Jamaican international has continued to be linked with a Villa Park exit following the end of the campaign, but he has international duties to partake in before a potential departure ahead of next term.
Bailey sends message amid Jamaica’s Gold Cup campaign
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke has continued to report that Villa are “definitely” open to offers for Bailey this summer, with numerous Saudi Pro League sides expressing an interest in his services.
The 27-year-old has seemingly turned his focus away from club football for now, however, with Jamaica currently taking part in the Gold Cup, and Bailey having scored the opener in their recent group stage win over Guadeloupe.
The Reggae Boyz will face Panama in their final group match on Wednesday (25 June), and Bailey has now shared a post on Instagram in anticipation of the clash, with pictures of him travelling in Jamaica gear alongside the caption: “Touched down Austin.”
A number of his current or ex-Villa teammates have moved to react to the post, with Rashford, Watkins, Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa, Jacob Ramsey and Lamare Bogarde all liking it, while Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson also did the same.
Unai Emery must move on from Bailey to continue Villa progression
Football Insider verdict
While Bailey certainly impressed and won the hearts of supporters at Villa Park for his performances in his first three seasons at the club, he regressed last term into a bit-part player, and it seems unlikely that there is any way back for him under Emery at present.
The 27-year-old featured 24 times in the Premier League, but made just 14 starts, with only four of those coming after the turn of the year as Rashford and Asensio joined on loan and each made a huge impact.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 144 | 22 | 24 |
He can still be effective, as shown by his decent performances on occasion, but a lot has changed at Villa in the four years since his arrival, and he is no longer considered a marquee player with Unai Emery targeting a move for Man United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
It certainly makes a lot of sense for him to depart this summer, and from a personal point of view, a move to the Saudi Pro League would surely appeal due to the high wages that numerous clubs in the country offer to Premier League players wanting to join.