Manchester United are considering a surprise loan move for Aston Villa's Leon Bailey according to the latest reports.
The 27-year-old Jamaican has struggled for form this season, having scored once and added three assists in 29 appearances. It has been suggested that Moussa Diaby's £51million exit to Al-Ittihad has impacted Bailey, who registered double figures for goals and assists during the 2023/24 campaign.
Despite this, United are plotting an unexpected late January transfer for the former Bayer Leverkusen forward. According to The Athletic, Ruben Amorim's side are eyeing up Bailey on loan for the remainder of the season. It's added that Bailey is one of three attacking options being targeted by United.
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Christopher Nkunku is another, while Mathys Tel is the third as United bid to try and lure him out of Bayern Munich. United are understood to prefer a move for 19-year-old sensation Tel after he rejected a move to Tottenham on Friday, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the others keeping an eye on his situation.
While Tel's future is uncertain after expressing his desire to leave Bayern earlier in January, there is a chance that he could stay beyond the end of the transfer window. "Mathys is extremely connected to the club," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund told Sky Sport Deutschland.
"He loves being here. It's quite possible that he will still be a Bayern Munich player on Tuesday."
With Marcus Rashford set to join Aston Villa on a loan deal with a £40million option to buy, it's no shock that United are looking to bolster their attack. Bailey would represent an astute addition if United could get him back to his best, having helped fire Villa to the Champions League this season.
A left-footed winger, Bailey's preferred position is on the right but he can also play off the left and through the middle when required. That versatility could be important for Amorim, as he tries to finetune his United squad. Bailey has scored 21 goals in 134 matches for Villa since arriving from Leverkusen in 2021.
Should United pursue a move for Bailey, they are going to have to move fast to get a deal done. The clock is ticking for United to get a transfer finalised with less than 48 hours before Monday's 11pm deadline.
United are yet to make a signing during the January window but are closing in on the £30m addition of left-wing back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce. The 20-year-old Denmark international had his medical at Carrington on Saturday and is set to join Amorim's side on a long-term contract.
