Leon Bailey wanted by Man Utd, Arsenal, and Tottenham – is he ready for a Premier League move?

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 3 min read

In the summer of 2020 the German Bundesliga was raided by the Premier League, with two of its brightest young stars, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, snapped up by Chelsea. Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey looks set to follow the path to England, either in January or next summer.

Bailey has constantly been linked with a move away from Leverkusen even after his £18.3m [€20m] move from Genk in 2017.

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A true speed demon, the Jamaican-born winger can play on both flanks, either driving down the left on his stronger left foot, or cutting inside from the right.

Though raw in his talent since his move to Germany, he has matured in his performances over the past 12 months, and has impressed in 2020/21.

In 11 starts this season over the Bundesliga and the Europa League, he has already contributed to 12 goals via seven scored himself plus five assists.

According to the Mail, he could be set for a move to the Premier League.

Who are his suitors?

Leon Bailey: Snapshot

Man Utd

Back in 2017, Leverkusen reportedly beat Man Utd to Bailey’s signature due to the promise of more first-team football.

However, the Red Devils have kept a keen eye on his development, and have retained an interest which could materialise into another transfer bid.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer likes to play with quick wingers, particularly in the transition into counterattacks, and Bailey certainly fits that ethos perfectly.

For the kind of fee that Leverkusen would demand for their star forward, Man Utd are probably in pole position for this one.

Arsenal

Despite having little money to spend following the big Thomas Partey transfer in the summer, the Gunners continue to be linked with high-profile players for a transfer either in January or the summer.

Arsenal currently have the 15th worst attack in Europe’s top five leagues in terms of goalscoring, with just 10 goals scored in their opening 11 matches in the Premier League so far.

There’s no doubt that Bailey would improve the lacklustre attack, and with Mikel Arteta keen to develop his side into playing a 4-3-3, that could suit the talents of the Leverkusen winger.

However, the finances could be out of reach for Arsenal on this one.

Tottenham

This one probably seems the least likely for the moment, at least for January, as Jose Mourinho has finally found a settled starting XI in the Premier League, with Heung-min Son and Steven Bergwijn his preferred wingers flanking Harry Kane.

The Portuguese boss also has Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, and one Gareth Bale at his disposal, all of whom have barely played in the Premier League this season.

Even if Bale doesn’t return on a permanent deal in the summer, if Bailey was to arrive in his place, would he have to settle for a place on the bench too?