Chelsea are in the race to sign highly-rated Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey in the summer transfer window. The Blues are one of a few clubs interested in the 22-year-old, who has shown glimpses of his potential in Germany.
Daily Mail have reported that Frank Lampard has kept an eye on the Jamaican international, while Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City, are also tracking the promising winger. Leon Bailey has been with Leverkusen since 2017, having joined the club from Belgian side, Genk.
The winger could be signed for a fee of around £40 million as per the report. Bailey is contracted with Bayer Leverkusen until 2023.
Leon Bailey: Should Lampard pursue a deal?
Chelsea have been very active ever since their transfer ban was served and have already strengthened their side significantly. The Blues have already signed RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech who will join the club before next season. Both players are exciting attackers who will add depth to the Chelsea squad and that extra edge that could allow the London club to close the gap with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool and mount a potential title challenge next season.
Leon Bailey is a winger with tremendous potential, who uses his pace and dribbling ability to get past opposition defenders. The Jamaican is a fearless attacker who takes on defenders and commits them to make challenges on him. The winger also has a strong left foot, which could be a deadly weapon from set-pieces and long-range shots on goal.
But do Chelsea need another winger after having signed one already in the summer?
I don’t think they do as Lampard has several options out wide. Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi are exciting young wingers who can play on either wing, while Ziyech is an exceptional talent who can play on the right or as a No. 10. Mason Mount has shown that he can play off the left as an inside winger/attacking midfielder.
Werner can play in numerous positions – on either wing or a striker, which gives Lampard yet another option. The Chelsea manager does not need yet another big name winger, but he does have to buy a new left-back, and maybe even a centre back and the Blues will do well to pursue their targets in those two areas before indulging in any chase for a luxury signing.
