Chelsea, who have now been cleared to sign players in the January transfer market, are eyeing a move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.
The 22-year-old is a highly-rated attacker has blossomed at the German club since signing for them in 2017.
As per The Telegraph, the Jamaican is one of several players that Blues manager Frank Lampard is interested in signing in the January transfer window as he has reportedly been given a £150 million budget to bring in fresh faces.
Bailey has been a long-term target for the London club, as the player’s step father revealed at the start of the year that Chelsea had enquired about the availability of the winger.
The Blues are also interested in other wingers like Wilfried Zaha, and Samuel Chukwueze, apart from Bailey.
The 22-year-old has made 95 appearances for his current club, scoring 21 goals and 13 assists. This season, he has 3 goals and an assist in 8 appearances in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen. His current deal with the German club expires in 2023.
Signing the exciting Leon Bailey would be a top move
Bailey is an exciting winger who likes to take on opposing defenders, and uses his flair, dribbling, and pace to trouble the opposition.
The Jamaican is a left-footed player and primarily plays on the left side of attack, while also capable of playing as an inverted winger on the right.
The Bayer Leverkusen player likes to drift into central areas and take powerful shots on goal, while also putting in teasing crosses from out wide. He averages 2.1 dribbles per game this season in the league.
His pace and trickery have won him many fans in Germany, and he averages 1.5 shots per game this season in the Bundesliga.
Bailey could be a very good addition to Frank Lampard’s young side, who have looked good going forward. The Jamaican would add something different to the Blues attack as he possesses good skill and pace, and always looks to play on the front foot.
With the futures of Willian and Pedro at Chelsea still up in the air (h/t Football Italia), Lampard needs to add at least one more winger in the coming transfer window.
Bailey, along with Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi would make for an impressive trio of young attacking wingers.
