Manchester City

Manchester City: David Ornstein discusses Leon Bailey’s transfer situation

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Image for Manchester City: David Ornstein discusses Leon Bailey’s transfer situation

In a recent article for The Athletic, David Ornstein discussed the current situation of Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, who is reported to be an interest of both Manchester City and Manchester United.

Scoring five goals and providing three assists over his 22 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, Bailey has not exactly enjoyed remarkable form – averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.7/10 over the course of Leverkusen’s league campaign, ranking him as the club’s 17th-best performer.

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In addition to this, the winger has managed one further goal over three appearances in the Europa League, as well as one goal in the DFB Pokal – taking his total to just seven goals for the season.

However, despite this rather quiet season, Ornstein writes for The Athletic that both Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in the winger, who is said to ‘favour’ a move to England this summer.

He also states that Leverkusen would be open to selling Bailey at a reasonable price, which, before the viral pandemic, was expected to be around €50 million (£45.2 million), but will now likely be reduced to somewhere around €20-€30 million (£18.1-£27.1 million).

In addition to this, Bailey and his representatives are set to meet with Leverkusen this week to establish clarity on ‘an acceptable valuation and exit strategy’ for the 22-year-old.

Here’s exactly what Ornstein had to say:

‘Leverkusen would be open to selling at a suitable price and The Athletic understands that talks are scheduled between the club, Bailey and his representatives this week to establish clarity.’

TIF Thoughts…

While it is true that Manchester City now have a vacancy on their left wing following Leroy Sane’s move to Bayern Munich, it cannot be said that Bailey replicates the German’s goal contributions in any way, shape or form.

Since arriving at Leverkusen from KRC Genk back in 2017, Bailey has scored 24 goals and provided 15 assists in 114 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, after joining City from Schalke in 2016, Sane made 135 appearances for the club, scoring 39 goals and providing 45 assists.

Would you like to see City sign Leon Bailey as a potential Leroy Sane replacement?

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As such, if City really are interested in signing Bailey as a replacement for Leroy Sane, the Jamaica international will certainly have to up his game to fill the boots of City’s departing star.

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Football Writer for Snack Media