Despite failing to secure Leon Bailey’s signature last summer, it has been revealed that Chelsea are still interested in signing the winger. Bailey, who scored 12 games in 34 games for Bayer Leverkusen last season, has fallen down the pecking order at BayArena this term.
Leverkusen have recently sacked Heiko Herrlich and replaced him with Peter Bosz, so it remains to be seen whether things will improve for the Jamaican. However, his step-father Craig Butler has revealed that Chelsea are among the clubs keeping tabs on the 21-year-old.
Speaking about his son’s future, Butler said: “I am very happy that this change has come about. Leon did not develop under Heiko Herrlich.
“For Leon it is very important that he enjoys football. He lives alone in Germany, the family is in Jamaica, and if Leon does not have fun, it kills him.”
“Top clubs have come forward, such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Roma. In recent months they have been surprised that Leon plays so seldom, wondering why a top league player like him is suddenly sitting on the bench.”
Back in November, the 21-year-old revealed that he snubbed several top Premier League sides, including the Blues, as a move to a big club was untimely for him. The midfielder instead decided to focus on improvement at Bayer Leverkusen.
“Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool – a lot of clubs were interested,” the Jamaican revealed. “But the most important thing as a pro is taking things a step at a time and not rushing to the top too quickly. Because once you get there, where do you go next?”