Chelsea are plotting an audacious £85 million attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey, who is also courted by several Premier League giants.
According to Express, Leon Bailey has emerged as the latest target for Chelsea. The Bayer Leverkusen star seems to have impressed Frank Lampard with his performance against Rangers in the UEFA Europa League. As a result, the Chelsea manager is now ready to make a move for him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
As a matter of fact, the Blues are even willing to splash as much as £85 million in order to attain the services of Bailey. This could really shock other interested parties like Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Bayern, however, had very little chance of getting their hands on Bailey, with Bayer Leverkusen reportedly reluctant to do business with them. They might soon have to, though, with star player Kai Havertz seemingly preferring a move to Bavaria over Liverpool.
Coming back to Chelsea, a move for Bailey does make sense as they prepare for a potential squad overhaul in the summer. Ageing stars like Willian and Pedro are expected to leave Stamford Bridge after the end of the campaign. In fact, the former has already been linked with a move to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Their potential exit from Chelsea could create a massive void in the offensive unit. Even more so if we consider the fact that the club is yet to actually replace Eden Hazard, who switched to Real Madrid in a big-money move last summer. And that’s where Bailey come into the fray.
The Jamaican international has made himself a key component of the Leverkusen first-team since joining the club back in 2017. He has already made over 100 competitive appearances, scoring 24 goals while mustering 13 assists. But, what has made Bailey such an important part of the Leverkusen side is his versatility.
Indeed, the 22-year-old can feature on both flanks and even in a withdrawn role, if necessary. It has allowed Peter Bosz to better accomodate his remaining attackers while Bailey’s pace and tenacity have made Leverkusen much more effective on the counter. It comes as no surprise that only three teams have scored more goals from counter-attacks than Die Werkself this season.
At Chelsea, Bailey could easily fit into a side that has revolved around young players like Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount this season. His addition, therefore, will add much depth into the wider attacking slots, with the Blues already boasting the services of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
That being said, one could argue that Bailey’s staggering £85 million valuation is not justifiable despite his impact in the Bundesliga. Just to put things into perspective, Chelsea could get their hands on a much-talented individual like Jadon Sancho if they are willing to spend a bit more money. And with that in mind, the west London giants should certainly appear a bit more prudent in their pursuit of Bailey this summer.
