Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Thu 14 August 2025 13:38, UK

The future of Leon Bailey at Aston Villa now looks tied to the outcome of the Jadon Sancho transfer saga.

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The Jamaica international has been an important figure in Villa‘s rise in recent years, registering 22 goals and 23 assists in 146 appearances across all competitions since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.

However, the winger hasn’t always been able to hold his starting place down in the Midlands, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in July that Aston Villa are planning to cash in on Bailey.

Bailey‘s Villa Park exit could soon be accelerated, but only depending on the outcome of the Jadon Sancho situation at Manchester United.

Leon Bailey’s Aston Villa career stats (Credit: Imago)

According to The Times, Roma have inquired about signing both Bailey and Sancho this summer as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

However, it appears the Giallorossi cannot afford to sign both players on permanent deals, having asked Man United about the prospect of loaning Sancho.

Sancho is in the final year of his Old Trafford contract, but the Red Devils hold the option to extend his deal by another 12 months to facilitate a loan.

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But it’s understood United see that as a major gamble, thanks to his £250,000 per week salary, and would prefer to ship him out of the club permanently this summer.

Should Roma go all the way and sign Sancho on a permanent deal, it may well affect their budget when trying to acquire Bailey — who still has two years left to run on his Villa contract, with another year on option.

Football Insider verdict

Carlos Baleba is a major target for Man United (Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media)

Should Villa want to cash in on Bailey, they may be offered some unexpected salvation from Man United’s push to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton.

The Red Devils have gone to great lengths to improve Ruben Amorim’s forward line, spending over £200million on Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

However, the midfield still needs addressing, and Baleba is thought to be one of United’s key targets.

Unfortunately, Brighton are demanding over £100m for their midfielder, who excelled in the Premier League last season.

Having spent so much already this summer, it’s hard to see United sanctioning that sort of deal.

Instead, they’re getting creative, reportedly offering £80m plus add-ons for Baleba, while also being willing to send Sancho to the Amex Stadium as part of the deal.

If United can make progress here, they’re unlikely to entertain offers from Roma for Sancho, meaning the Italian side can focus their efforts fully on signing Bailey.

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