Aston Villa in talks with AS Roma over Leon Bailey transfer | OneFootball

Aston Villa are in talks with AS Roma over a potential deal for winger Leon Bailey.

According to The Athletic, both clubs are discussing several options with the Serie A side as they consider either a permanent transfer or a loan move that would include an obligation to buy.

The 28-year-old is not considered a part of Unai Emery’s long-term plan and has already been told to train away from the first team squad.

Villa are considering all options on the table, but the Jamaican international is poised to leave Birmingham before the transfer window closes.

Bailey signed a new contract with Villa in February last year, keeping him at the club until 2027.

However, he is among a number of players available for transfer this summer, alongside Alex Moreno and Leander Dendoncker.

Bailey has a few options on the table. There is interest from Turkish giants Besiktas, while clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also monitoring his situation.

Saudi clubs were keen to bring Bailey to the Middle East earlier in the transfer window, but Roma are now considered front-runners in the race.

No formal bid has been made yet, but negotiations remain ongoing.

If both sides finalise a deal, Bailey would be Roma’s seventh signing of the summer and their second from the Premier League, following Evan Ferguson’s move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bailey’s potential exit comes on the back of reports that Villa are working on a deal to bring Paris Saint-Germain outcast Marco Asensio back to Birmingham.

Talks have already been held and Villa are said to have agreed personal terms with the winger, who is ready to sign a three-year contract.

Villa are considering either a loan move or a permanent transfer for Asensio, but they need to create space in the squad before making any further additions.

Asensio was one of the reasons why Bailey’s playing time was reduced last season. He made 38 appearances across all competitions, although most of them came off the bench.

Since joining Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, Bailey has made 144 appearances, notching 22 goals and 24 assists.