Liverpool are plotting a move for Bayer 04 Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey in the summer. According to recent reports in the English press, the Reds are interested in securing his services of the Jamaican after scrapping their approach for AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. Jurgen Klopp has turned his attention to Bailey after he put in some dazzling displays for the Bundesliga club this season. The 20-year-old midfielder is one of the hottest prospects coming out of German football with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham also keeping tabs on the highly-rated youngster’s progress at the Bay Arena.
The Merseyside club has now joined in on the hunt for Bailey’s signature, after losing interest on Thomas Lemar, who Klopp reckons might be heading for another destination, with La Liga giants Barcelona his preferred choice. The 20-year-old is eager to test himself in England but he won’t come cheap for any of his potential suitors which could be a stumbling block in Liverpool’s efforts to sign the player.
It is believed that Leverkusen are demanding a fee in the region of £100m for the Jamaican speedster as they are reluctant to part ways with their prized asset, who only made a transfer from the Belgian side Genk a year ago and is under contract with the club until the summer of 2022.
The Reds of Merseyside are currently sitting in 4th place in the Premier League standings after being denied a victory at the death in their match versus Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the last gameweek. Jurgen Klopp’s side finds themselves just above Chelsea, who are in fifth place with a point separating the two teams at the moment.
However, both clubs have played a game less over their top 4 rivals with the Merseyside outfit preparing themselves for their clash versus Southampton at the St. Mary’s Stadium while Chelsea takes on West Bromwich Albion on Monday night. The addition of Bailey will undoubtedly bolster Klopp’s attacking options at the club and would go a long way in plugging the hole left by the departure of Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona in the January transfer window.
Bailey has played in 22 matches for Bayer 04 Leverkusen this term, finding the back of the net 10 times while also grabbing 5 assists in all competitions. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the Jamaican starlet and whether Liverpool can convince him to join Klopp’s revolution at Anfield in the near future.
