Aston Villa have been handed a fresh opportunity to sell Leon Bailey after Ajax entered talks over a move for the Jamaica international.
Bailey’s future has remained unresolved after a proposed switch to Hull City failed to reach completion earlier this month.
Ajax have now emerged as a new destination, with Thursday morning reports stating that the Dutch club are in discussions with Villa over the 29-year-old.
The Guardian reports that Ajax have engaged Aston Villa in talks over a potential Bailey transfer, with the winger entering the final year of his contract at Villa Park.
Separate reports credit Sky Sports journalists Anthony Joseph and Tim Thornton with revealing Ajax’s negotiations.
Leon Bailey Ajax talks could unlock Aston Villa transfer
Villa have spent much of the summer attempting to find Bailey a permanent move.
Read Aston Villa reported earlier this month that Bailey was expected to undergo a Hull City medical after negotiations with the newly promoted Premier League club were revived.
That deal ultimately failed to produce a completed transfer, leaving Bailey’s position unresolved as Unai Emery continued reshaping his attacking options.
Ajax now provide Villa with another route.
Bailey has entered the final 12 months of his contract, increasing the incentive for Villa to secure a fee this summer rather than risk his value falling further.
Villa had previously been seeking between £12million and £20million for Bailey, although no fee for a potential Ajax deal has yet been reported.
His departure could have consequences for Villa’s incoming business as well.
Read Aston Villa revealed that Emery’s side intend to recruit another winger after Alejandro Garnacho’s arrival, but further attacking business was expected to depend on departures, with Bailey specifically identified as one player capable of creating squad space.
Villa therefore have more at stake than simply finding Bailey a new club.
Ajax’s move represents the first significant new route for the winger since the Hull deal collapsed and could finally allow Villa to accelerate the next stage of their attacking rebuild.
Talks remain at an early stage and there is no reported agreement between the clubs.
For Villa, however, Bailey’s transfer situation is moving again.
