Aston Villa winger in talks with Serie A giants over possible loan transfer
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is likely to be the next player on the move after the imminent departure of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United.
According to The Athletic, negotiations are underway to take Bailey to Roma after interest from Beşiktaş and the Saudi Pro League came to nothing earlier in the summer transfer window.
The potential departure of the Jamaican international is attractive to Villa on financial grounds. Losing his wages would help the club remain compliant with UEFA squad cost ratio rules and a sale, now or at the end of a loan, would be a useful bonus in on the Premier League profit and sustainability rules balance sheet.
Bailey wouldn’t bring in a huge fee. His form has dipped significantly and he has two years left on his contract as he nears what is likely to be initially a loan move.
Reports suggest that an option or obligation to buy next summer is likely to be part of the deal, effectively bringing to an end Bailey’s enjoyable but inconsistent time at Villa.
Suitability for Gasperini’s Roma
Villa have seen Roma up close and personal already this summer, having played them in a pre-season friendly at Walsall last week. They’re under the new management of Gian Piero Gasperini and Bailey could be a good fit in lieu of Gasperini’s former Atalanta favourite Ademola Lookman.
Lookman was the key man as Atalanta won the Europa League in 2023/24 and Bailey’s style of play could be a good fit in wide areas for Gasperini’s preferred tactical system.
Should Bailey agree to move to the Italian capital, he would be one of the few Jamaicans with stints in Serie A. The versatile winger could be the fourth one after Ravel Morrison, Rolando Aarons, and Trivante Stewart.
If Bailey, Roma and Villa agree on a move, he would become one of a select few Jamaican players who’ve had spells in Serie A.
Ravel Morrison joined Lazio in 2015 but made just eight appearances in all competitions as he failed to make any sort of impact. Rolando Aarons was similarly forgettable during a loan spell with Hellas Verona a few years later.
Trivante Stewart joined Salernitana two years ago but played only four times in the league before departing for Serbia and, subsequently, Maccabi Haifa.
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