MusaAston Villa are prepared to listen to offers for winger Leon Bailey when the transfer window reopens, according to sources at Football Insider. Manager Unai Emery has reportedly decided the 28-year-old does not feature in his long-term plans at Villa Park and is keen to secure a permanent transfer for the player before the next campaign.
Bailey was initially loaned to Roma earlier in the season before being recalled in January. However, sources indicate that Emery’s decision to bring him back was purely a squad depth measure, aimed at maintaining their push for Champions League qualification during an injury crisis. While Villa passed up the opportunity to sell Bailey to Roma at the conclusion of that loan, the club is now determined to move him on regardless at the end of the season.
What is Leon Bailey’s Market Value?
Bailey made his first start since returning to his parent club in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United. However, supporters quickly voiced their frustration with his performance. The former Bayer Leverkusen winger was substituted for Jadon Sancho in the 61st minute following a quiet display, leading to calls from sections of the fanbase for the club to sell him at the next opportunity.
With Villa’s injury issues expected to ease, it appears there is no long-term path back for Bailey, making a summer departure increasingly likely. His loan to Roma originally included an option for the Italian club to buy him for £19 million, but Villa are now understood to have little expectation of securing a similar fee. With Bailey entering the final year of his contract, his value has diminished, potentially forcing the Midlands club to lower their asking price.
Bailey enjoyed an impressive 2023-24 season, registering 19 goal involvements in the Premier League. However, that total surpasses the combined tally of his other three full seasons in English football.
Villa Face Potential £8m UEFA Fine
Offloading Bailey could also aid Villa in navigating financial fair play regulations. Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Villa could face a fine of up to £8m if they are found to have breached UEFA’s financial rules for a second consecutive year. The club failed to comply with UEFA’s squad cost ratio regulations last season, receiving a £5.2m fine.
UEFA has since tightened its requirements, lowering the allowable squad cost-to-revenue ratio from 80% to 70%. This puts Villa at increased risk of another penalty, which could rise to £8m. Combined with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrictions, another summer of limited spending could be on the horizon for the club.
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