Leon Bailey has been linked with a move to Leeds United (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United.
The 22-year-old Jamaican, who still has three years left in his contract, is valued at around £40million by the Bundesliga outfit. He joined them in January 2017 from Genk. Bailey had earlier missed a major share of the ongoing season due to a muscle injury but has still managed 5 goals and 2 assists from 19 matches.
To date, he has made 110 appearances across all competitions for Leverkusen and has 24 goals and 14 assists to his name. His best-ever performance for the German side came in the 2017-18 season, where he impressed with 9 goals and 6 assists from 30 league matches.
Bailey is also a versatile attacker who is comfortable playing on both the flanks. This makes him a valuable asset for any side who are eager to land him.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been on the hunt for a new attacker ahead of next season. He had identified Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho as a suitable candidate for his side.
However, the report suggests that Sancho is set to stay for one more year at Dortmund, with the side unwilling to budge on his £100million asking price. That said, United have earmarked Bailey as a cheaper alternative for Sancho and are now keen on bringing him to Old Trafford.
An established winger, Bailey can also ease the burden on United’s star player Marcus Rashford, who is the side’s consistent performer on the wings. Rashford, who is United’s top goalscorer in the league with 14 goals under his belt, unfortunately suffered an injury midway through the season.
Though the Red Devils had summer signing Daniel James in their ranks, he still has a lot to improve, especially on his finishing skills. The young winger has managed just three goals in the league despite featuring 27 times for them.
They also have Jesse Lingard and Tahith Chong in the side. Lingard has been in the worst of forms in recent times while Chong is still young and lacks experience. With such a situation still existing, the arrival of Leon Bailey arrival seems like a welcome sign for Manchester United. Hence, they should not think twice about signing the young Jamaican this summer.
Bailey fits the exact mould of young and hungry talent with which Manchester United boss Solskjaer is trying to build a team. Despite being young, Bailey has proved himself at Leverkusen and can offer United more quality in the attack. Also, Manchester United lack established wingers in their midst, and Leon Bailey could solve that problem.
