Manchester United may be able to secure a deal for Leon Bailey with a bid in the region of £20 million, Genk Technical Director, Dimitri De Conde has admitted
As per Mark Brus’s report in Metro, Manchester United have received a transfer boost in the pursuit of Genk winger Leon Bailey. The speedy wizard has been on the Red Devils’ radar for a while now and new reports have emerged stating that Genk may be willing to part with the player, should a bid in the region of £20 million were to be tabled.
Leon Bailey is a 19-year-old Jamaican-born winger who has been impressing in his outings for Belgian powerhouses Genk, both in the Jupiler League and the Europa League. The speedster already has 8 goals and 9 assists to show for his efforts in all competitions this season with more than half of the campaign remaining.
Manchester United have been continuously linked with a move for the player, who himself admitted that he would be enticed as to the prospect of a move to Old Trafford, provided he is able to get regular first-team playing time.
Bailey recently signed a contract extension in the summer of 2016 and with his current deal set to run till 2020, it was expected that the Red Devils would find it difficult to secure a transfer for the 19-year-old.
However, as per the comments of Genk’s Technical director Dimitri De Conde, Manchester United stand a very good chance of signing the Jamaican under-23 international and a bid in the region of £20 million might be sufficient.
Conde said,“If mega bids, by Belgian standards, are made, then we cannot reject it, and if the boys also feel ready for a step up then it will be very difficult to keep them in Genk.
“I must be ready with alternatives. In the category of players 20 or under, then these boys are absolutely top talents, so I think a fee of between €20-€25 million is certainly warranted.”
Manchester United are reportedly set to offload the likes of Memphis Depay and Ashley Young, while Marcus Rashford has been linked with a loan move to West Ham. In the midst of all this, Jose Mourinho could find room for Leon Bailey, whose direct nature could provide the Red Devils with some added ammunition at the front.
Add to it the player’s versatility to be able to play on either wing as well as a central forward, Jose Mourinho could use him in the ranks, as he aims to overhaul the United squad as per his needs.
Bailey has earned rave reviews from coaches everywhere and he could very well be set to work under, in Jose Mourinho, one of the most respected as well as feared managers in the footballing world.
