Time To Sign More Reinforcements-
The Blues’ manager Antonio Conte has been eyeing Bundesliga star Bayer Leverkusen youngster Leon Bailey and is seemingly interested in recruiting him to Chelsea. The move comes with superstar Eden Hazard’s growing speculation about a transfer to La Liga champions Real Madrid, with Los Blancos keen on adding the attacker to their squad.
There is no denying that Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the world at the moment and the European champions Real Madrid are trying to lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu. And the Belgian winger has still not committed his future to the London club despite a bumper offer being ready for him in the taking. Hazard has been one of Chelsea’s key players since arriving from Lille in 2012 and in his 186 league appearances for Chelsea he has scored 62 times and he has lately been on the radar of a lot of top clubs in Europe.
And Leon Bailey has been identified as one of Hazard’s replacements as the 20-year-old has somewhat similar characteristics to the Belgian ace. The Jamaican winger has been a great addition to Bayer Leverkusen this summer as his performances have helped the club to the fifth position in the Bundesliga. Bailey’s dribbling skills and pace have been associated and compared with that of Hazard and the former Genk star is now being wanted by a few bigger clubs in Europe. His four goals and four assists have shown that he has settled in well. Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Stuttgart was impressive once again and so was Bailey in the left wing position.
Hazard was instrumental for Chelsea last term as he helped the Blues clinch the Premier League netting 16 times for Antonio Conte’s side and getting 5 assists. But the attacking midfielder has now set his sights on winning the Champions League and may join the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona if they come calling soon.
And Conte may look at Bailey to strengthen his squad and develop him into a quality player and the clubs are now reportedly holding talks with each other to decide the future of the 20 year old attacker. And there were reports of Bailey joining Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window.
But it appears that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell Bailey as he is highly wanted at the club and they still are in the process of targeting an European spot for next season as they look to get back into the Champions League.
But if Chelsea are looking at seriously replacing Hazard they may have to pay close to £20 million for the services of Bailey. And the London side may face competition for signing Bailey from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.
Where do you guys think Bailey will end up at the end up at the end of the winter transfer window? Should he join Chelsea or should the Blues look for a more established player to bolster their chances of qualifying in the Champions League next summer.
