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Chelsea Hatch £85m Plan to Sign Leon Bailey - But Something Doesn't Quite Add Up

​Chelsea are apparently planning an £85m deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, but they're expected to face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The Jamaica international's form has been hot and cold in the Bundesliga since a breakout 18-month spell with the club, but Bailey's impressive substitute appearance against Rangers in the Europa League appears to have caught the eye for clubs in the Premier League.

It's a rumour which comes from the Express, who claim Chelsea are planning a whopping £85m transfer for Bailey at the end of the season.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have also been touted as potential suitors. 

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga

All four clubs mentioned do like Bailey - some of them were first linked with his signature during his time at Genk - but this rumour appears to have come from absolutely nowhere, while the £85m can only be described as fantasy.

The 22-year-old winger really hasn't impressed in the Bundesliga over the last 18 months and he's lost his first-team place this season to former Paris Saint-Germain winger Moussa Diaby, while Brazilian wonderkid Paulinho is also in impressive form.


Bailey has never been worth the £85m price tag which is being quoted in this rumour, but if the Jamaica international was sold in the upcoming transfer window, he'd more likely fetch a generous fee closer to £40m.


The Express says Chelsea were convinced about this overinflated move for Bailey after 'watching him destroy Rangers in the Europa League'.


Now, this wouldn't be the first time a player has been signed based off one standout appearance, but Bailey was a second-half substitute at Ibrox. 


On top of that, the other goalscorers Kai Havertz and Charles Aránguiz were arguably more impressive over the whole game, while the likes of Kerem Demirbay and Mitchell Weiser also 'destroyed' Rangers.

As enjoyable as it would be for fans in the Premier League to look forward to signing Bailey, this specific rumour just raises so many red flags over its reliability - and on the surface appears to be nothing more than fanciful gossip.

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Source : 90min