ARSENAL have reportedly stepped up their interest in Leon Bailey as Chelsea prepare to make their move for the £85million-rated winger.
The Bayer Leverkusen star, 22, is one of Europe’s most exciting young widemen and has attracted plenty of interest over recent seasons.
Arsenal and Chelsea are set to rival Bayern Munich for Bayer Leverkusen star Leon BaileyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the Express claim that the German club’s preference is to sell their prized asset to an English side over losing another player to Bayern Munich.
The report adds that has opened the door for Arsenal to compete with Chelsea for Bailey, but only on the condition that they sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners captain is the only player in Mikel Arteta’s squad who could raise the funds required to land the Jamaican ace.
Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu still want Aubameyang to commit his long-term future to the club.
But the Emirates outfit are becoming resigned to the fact that their £56million top scorer will enter the final year of his contract without agreeing a new deal.
SunSport revealed Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are all keeping tabs on the situation and Arsenal may be forced to cash in this summer.
But they face a battle to land Leverkusen hotshot Bailey, who reportedly had Chelsea scouts in attendance for his Europa League clash against Rangers.
The Jamaican international replaced Karim Bellarabi with half an hour remaining at Ibrox but he caused plenty of damage to Steven Gerrard’s side.
Bailey scored a crucial third away goal with two minutes to go to ensure the Bundesliga side took a 3-1 first-leg advantage.
The former Genk man still has three years left to run on the contract he signed in August 2018.
Arsenal accept Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is entering final year of deal as Man Utd, Barcelona and PSG circle
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
