Arsenal are hit with a new blow in their chase for Bundesliga starlet, Leon Bailey as the Jamaican last revealed that he is currently happy with Bayer Leverkusen and would like to continue playing for the German outfit. He was quoted, “Leverkusen is perfect for me. I want to develop and then I can take the next step. When I move to a big club, the people there will want to know me. I want to make a name for myself at the highest level.”
A conflicting report, to say the least, as only last week Leverkusen revealed that they would be willing to accept bids in upwards of £100m.
Bailey has been on a brilliant run of form for the German side with 10 goals and 5 assists in 21 total appearances. After the departure of Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kevin Kamp and Javier Hernández, the Jamaican has been one of the key attacking components for Leverkusen. A solid left foot paired with blistering pace down the wings has cemented Bailey in the first team of Bayer Leverkusen.
He arrived at Leverkusen from Belgian club, K.R.C. Genk in the January of 2017 for a fee of £12millon. Bailey developed his game at the Belgian club appearing in 77 matches while registering 15 goals and 21 assists to his name.
The Jamaican starlet is exuberant and could have excelled under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. He obviously would have been handed over a major role to fill up the void left by Sanchez on the right wing.
Arsenal managed a 3-0 win over a weaker Ostersunds FK in the Round of 32 Europa League fixture last week after registering a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. Their biggest priority is to win the European competition in order to break into the Champions League next season since they are 8 points behind the Spurs in the 6th spot of the points table.
Bailey could have been a perfect fit on the left wing as the pacey option while still accommodating the creative duo of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan next to him. A winger’s presence is more than necessary at the moment to provide the team’s attack with some width.
But his recent statements will force to look for replacements ahead of the summer window. It is yet to be seen who the Frenchman targets next. The market is not too suitable for Wenger’s recruitment model but do you think they should now look elsewhere?
