Aston Villa and Roma in talks as Serie A side prepare first Leon Bailey offer amid Besiktas and Saudi Arabia interest

Roma are in talks with Villa over a deal to sign Jamaican winger Bailey, with negotiations focusing on a loan with an option to buy, according to The Athletic. The 28-year-old is not central to Unai Emery’s plans, and Villa are open to offers. Turkish club Besiktas and multiple Saudi Pro League sides have also shown interest, but Roma have emerged as the most serious contenders.

Bailey joined Aston Villa in 2021 from Bayer Leverkusen for around €32 million (£27m/$37m), signing a contract that runs until 2027. While he has made 144 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 24 assists, his game time under Emery has dwindled, just 14 league starts last season. Roma see Bailey as a key attacking reinforcement after also reportedly pursuing Jadon Sancho and Abde Ezzalzouli, but budget constraints mean they prefer a loan deal over a permanent transfer this summer.

Bailey’s career has taken him across several footballing landscapes as the Jamaican winger honed his skills through youth stints in Austria and Slovakia before making his professional breakthrough at Belgian side Genk. His rapid rise in Belgium earned him a big move to Leverkusen in 2017, where his flair and pace quickly caught the eye across Europe.

His time at Villa has been a mix of dazzling moments and frustrating setbacks. While Bailey has produced flashes of brilliance in the Premier League, injuries and inconsistent form have often prevented him from cementing a regular starting role under successive managers.

Roma’s interest in Bailey comes as part of an ambitious summer rebuild. Should the deal go through, he would become their seventh signing of the window and their second arrival from the Premier League, following the loan capture of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

The race for his signature, however, is far from straightforward. Besiktas and several Saudi clubs are also in the hunt, offering lucrative packages, but Roma’s sporting project and the opportunity to shine in Serie A remain highly appealing to the player.

Another key factor could be the influence of manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who has made no secret of his desire to add more attacking firepower to bolster Roma’s domestic and European ambitions. With Bailey’s blend of pace, creativity, and experience, he could well be the kind of player to give Roma that extra edge in the final third.

Roma have yet to submit an official bid, but talks are expected to intensify in the coming days. If an agreement is reached, Bailey could join the Giallorossi squad before the end of the transfer window, adding pace and directness to their wide play.