Man Utd handed opportunity to sign PERFECT Olise alternative

Cameron Smith

• 22 Mar 2024 01:58 CDT
• 5 min read

In 2018, Manchester United were one of several Premier League giants interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Leon Bailey, but the Red Devils were told to match his €116 million (£100m) asking price.

Leverkusen’s demands unsurprisingly ended Man Utd’s pursuit of the Jamaica international, with Chelsea and Arsenal also taking a backseat after learning the insane figure it would take to sign him.

Three years later, Bailey joined Aston Villa for a mere €32m after a quiet period in the Bundesliga, largely due to injuries and inconsistent form, saw him drop off the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.

READ MORE: Aston Villa already have their Emiliano Martinez replacement

A tricky start to life at Villa Park followed, but Bailey has looked back to his best this season.

The 26-year-old has eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League so far this campaign, with the summer arrival of his former Leverkusen team-mate Mousa Diaby prompting a fierce reaction.

Bailey was expected to lose his place in the Villa starting XI following the addition of Diaby, however he has stepped up his game and now looks like the player previously linked with a big-money Premier League move.

READ MORE: Chelsea to repeat Gusto transfer trick with French wonderkid

Despite signing a new contract at Aston Villa in February, Bailey has dropped a very strange transfer hint, suggesting he is open to leaving the club to join one of England’s ‘top six’ clubs.

Bailey told the Let’s Be Honest Podcast: “You have big teams in England, they call themselves the big six. The Arsenals and the Chelseas.

"It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and I am right now.

“Who wouldn’t want to go to a massive team? Especially coming out of Jamaica, do you know how big that is for the country? Especially being who I am as well.

“It would shine more light and that has been my focus whenever overseas. It is to use my platform to be able to shine light on the country and the young talents. It’s difficult for us Jamaicans to even make it to Europe.”

Bailey is clearly not fully satisfied at Aston Villa and that may present an opportunity for Man Utd to swoop if they are unable to land Michael Olise this summer.

Leon Bailey to Man Utd?

As reported by FootballTransfers, Olise is regarded as Man Utd’s primary right winger target and the Frenchman has been sounded out as the perfect upgrade for Antony, who has failed to perform since his €95m move from Ajax in 2022.

Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new reign, Man Utd are expected to spend big this summer, with Everton pair Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana both key targets as well, and Harry Kane still admired by the hierarchy despite his move to Bayern Munich last year.

However, while Olise is seen as Man Utd’s first-choice candidate, his injury record is patchy and Crystal Palace may demand a huge transfer fee. The Eagles famously kept Wilfried Zaha at the club for many years despite continued rumours of a move to Arsenal, and they could potentially try a similar tactic with Olise.

If that is the case, or Olise rejects a move to Old Trafford, Man Utd could do a lot worse than pursue Bailey.

The Jamaica international is evidently open to leaving Aston Villa and he has been a Man Utd target for six years. His form this season has been excellent and if the Red Devils are unable to sign Olise, a move for Bailey makes perfect sense.