Roma could miss out again with Arsenal and Chelsea after Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey

Tom Biggs 20:27 25/07/2018
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  • With the World Cup finished, the summer transfer window is now starting to heat up, as managers look to bring in additions to their squads ahead of the start of the 2018/19 campaign.

    Plenty of big names have been linked with switches, and with that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at some of Europe’s most in-demand stars.

    Our next player analysis is Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey…

    Linked to: Arsenal, Chelsea and Roma

    Price tag: £40 million

    Competition to sign Leverkusen’s Bailey is likely to heat up following Barcelona’s capture of Bordeaux star Malcom.

    AS Roma had looked certain to sign the Brazilian before a dramatic late bid from the La Liga side saw Malcom make the switch to Spain rather than Italy, meaning the Giallorossi are back in the market for a winger.

    But the Serie A side could also miss out on 20-year-old Bailey, with both Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested in bringing the winger, who has a contract with Leverkusen until June 2022, to the Premier League.

    Leon Bailey has made a name for himself after an excellent first full season at Bayer Leverkusen

    Leon Bailey has made a name for himself after an excellent first full season at Bayer Leverkusen.

    Bailey impressed for Leverkusen during the 2017/18 campaign, scoring 12 goals in all competitions, including a sensational free-kick against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

    The winger is hugely talented, with electric pace, trickery and an eye for goal, meaning interest in him is thought to be high as the transfer window continues to heat up.

    Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea are still likely to be in the market for a winger, despite Barcelona’s move for Malcom meaning Willian is now set to stay at Stamford Bridge.

    Across London, Unai Emery has made a number of astute signings so far this summer, but the Gunners lack genuine width and pace in wide areas, something Bailey would no doubt provide should they bring him to the Emirates.

    For Roma, the desire to bring in a winger is clear, and having been so close to tying up a deal for Malcom, they are now reassessing their options.

    Roma’s director of football Monchi has said they are “working hard to identify a player that wants to come to Roma and is the equal or even better than Malcom”. Bailey may just be that man.

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