MANCHESTER UNITED are discussing signing Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey before the end of the January window, reports say.
Any deal for Bailey would be separate from Marcus Rashford’s pending loan move to Villa for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Rashford’s exit means United need to plug a hole in attacking areas and fill the gap in Ruben Amorim’s squad.
United are yet to advance talks with Villa over Bailey but it is understood that Ineos prefer a loan deal first, according to The Athletic.
The 27-year-old was a fan favourite at Villa Park but is not a guaranteed starter under Unai Emery.
He has started 13 of Villa’s 23 Premier League games this season and been subbed on seven times, being unused twice and injured once.
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But the winger has started five of the club’s eight Champions League fixtures, as Emery’s side automatically qualified for the last-16.
Bailey has scored once in the Prem this term – a late winner against Leicester in January.
But he was one of Villa’s standout performers last season, with 10 goals and nine assists during their march to Champions League qualification.
Bailey joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 and has scored 21 times across 134 appearances, including 14 goals in 2023-24.
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Rashford will join Villa on a temporary deal for the remainder of the campaign and undergo his medical on Sunday.
Villa have agreed to pay 70 per cent of the England international’s £325,000-a-week salary.
It’s understood that Villa also have the option to make Rashford’s move permanent in the summer window for £40 million.
While Rashford, 27, likes to play as a left-sided winger, Jamaican international Bailey operates on the right flank.
United first looked at Bailey back in 2016, when he was still in his teens.
Jim Lawlor, the club’s chief scout at the time, watched Bailey in action for Genk against Sassuolo and saw him score as the Belgian side won 3-1.
United then eyed him up again during his four year spell at Leverkusen, but ended up landing Jadon Sancho.
United are now focused on signing a replacement for their home-grown star.
The club unveiled left wing-back Patrick Dorgu and Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven at Old Trafford this afternoon.
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The club have already made an approach for Bayern Munich winger Mathys Tel, who has already rejected a move to Tottenham this week.
Arsenal have now joined the race for Tel.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
