Aston Villa have completed the signing of Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen, with the winger signing a four-year deal at Villa Park.
Bailey has been routinely linked with a move to the Premier League in recent seasons and arrives into English football following an impressive season at Leverkusen, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists in 25 league starts.
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The fee is believed to be in the region of £30m for the Jamaica international, with the Bundesliga side having sanctioned his sale after missing out on Champions League qualification last season.
The 23-year-old has spoken to the club’s official website after completing the move, admitting he is relishing the ‘next step in his career’ in the Premier League.
“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he said.
“It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it.
“Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”
Bailey’s arrival comes amid the news that Villa are ready to accept a £100m bid from Manchester City for club captain Jack Grealish, with the Premier League champions having submitted a record-breaking offer for the England international.
Sky Sports are reporting that Villa are yet to respond to the offer from the Etihad, but are prepared to accept a bid that eclipses the £89m deal that took Paul Pogba to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016.
Villa have offered Grealish a new contract in an effort to keep hold of the midfielder, though the decision is now set to be handed to the 25-year-old as he deliberates whether to move to City or remain with his boyhood side.
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