Sources: Big development in Aston Villa bid to sign Leon Bailey

Sources: Big development in Aston Villa bid to sign Leon Bailey

Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on

Aston Villa have agreed personal terms with Leon Bailey as they work on a big-money deal to lure him from Bayer Leverkusen, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

A Villa source has told Football Insider that the club have now reached an agreement in principle with Bailey's camp over contract terms.

It would see the 23-year-old secure a significant pay rise if the transfer were to go through.

But Villa may need to break their transfer record for that to happen.

Leverkusen are holding out for a £35million-plus fee for the Jamaica international, who has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

One of those had been Arsenal but, as revealed by Football Insider, they pulled out of the race after their background checks highlighted concerns about Bailey's attitude.

Villa's current highest-ever fee is the sum they paid Norwich City for Emiliano Buendia earlier this summer.

The Jamaica international is in high demand after his fine form both domestically and on the European stage.

Bailey scored 15 goals and supplied 11 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last season.

Aston Villa

They are in advanced talks to sign the 23-year-old as he heads into the final year of his contract at Carrow Road.

www.footballinsider247.com