Bayer reject Chelsea £22m for Bailey

CHELSEA are serious about landing the signature of Jamaican Bundesliga new sensation, Leon Bailey, making a bid of £22 million, plus a sweetener to loan the player back to Bayer Leverkusen for the rest of the season – offers the German club has rejected.

Bayer are reportedly not impressed with the London club’s valuation of their new sensation and are holding out for more, valuing the young winger at about £50 million. Leverkusen are also unwilling to part company with the player in the January window.

Chelsea, who have been tracking the speedy attacker for the last few years and are keen to sign the 20-year-old ,who is also linked to Barcelona, had scouts at the player’s Bundesliga match at the weekend against Stuttgart. Bailey had both assists in a 2-0 win.

Although the transfer window is yet to open, Chelsea have already tabled their bid for Bailey, one of the hottest young attackers in Europe, attracting interest from many big clubs.

IMPRESSIVE FORM

His impressive form in the Bundesliga this season, five goals and four assists in 12 appearances, has enhanced his growing reputation. Chelsea now see the Jamaican as someone with the potential to replace Willian and provide cover for Eden Hazard, who is being courted by Real Madrid

However, Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, did not reveal much when quizzed about the arrival of new players in January.

“I don’t want to speak about new players. It is better for me to talk to the club about that. The final decision is theirs, not mine,” he was quoted as saying in the Daily Express.