Aston Villa will consider opening contract talks with winger Leon Bailey if he has a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, sources have told Football Insider.
This site revealed on Tuesday (6 June) that the 25-year-old’s future is up in the air after his mixed start to life at Villa Park.
Nevertheless, manager Unai Emery remains a big fan of Bailey – who started 17 of a possible 23 games under the Spaniard following his arrival in November 2022.
And the winger reciprocates the appreciation for the Villa boss, claiming in a media interview that Emery is a “great manager” who has “changed the perspective” of the club’s stars since arriving.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Jamaica international has a “big year ahead” – with just two years remaining on his reported £100,000-a-week contract.
Bailey struggled with injury in his first season after joining Aston Villa for a reported £25million in the summer of 2021.
He settled into a more regular rhythm in the 2022-23 campaign, notching five goals and four assists across 36 appearances in all competitions.
His contract situation is similar to that of established Villa stars John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, who are both in talks over renewed deals.
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (7 June) that captain McGinn will be brought more in line with the club’s top earners if his new contract can be finalised.
Bailey has scored 13 goals in 38 games in European competition during his spells with Genk and Bayer Leverkusen – experience which could prove vital to Aston Villa next term.
Emery’s side will face a two-legged playoff in the Europa Conference League in August – with a victory landing them a spot in the group stage.
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By: Pete O’Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Title: Exclusive: Aston Villa tell star he could land new deal next season if he turns it around
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/sources-leon-bailey-told-when-he-could-land-new-aston-villa-deal/
Published Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0000
