United jump ahead of Everton in Bailey pursuit
Rumours in todays press claim that Manchester United have jumped ahead of Everton in the pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen forward Leon Bailey.
The Daily Express are saying that United have been in secret initial talks with the Jamaican international winger. Bailey is a player that Everton have been linked with several times in recent past transfer windows.
We’ve looked at Bailey before as a possible summer target and I would suggest he is the sort of wide forward that the Toffees need to consider bringing in to augment their attacking potential.
The Jamaican player is a 23-year-old with great pace who can create and score goals and plays anywhere across the attack. All qualities that would make him on paper anyway, a great fit for the Blues. He’s not the only player the Toffees might consider but he would be a signing that I think is likely to excite supporters.
Well now it seems that United might have the edge on the Toffees as clubs beginning thinking in earnest about their summer transfer window targets.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Obviously this is just a story in the media so who knows whether there is a lot to it. But I do think one of the things that might make a difference to any pursuit by the Blues of Bailey or a player like him, is whether the Toffees can offer Champions League football.
For a player so mich in demand like the Jamaican forward, playing in the Champions League will be a key requirement for him when he’s thinking of moving to or choosing a new club.
It’s a tough ask to qualify for Europe’s top competition and I still think that on balance, it’s unlikely Everton will finish in the top four.
However, there is still a possibility with other teams faltering and the Blues facing their most immediate rival on Monday and with a game in hand on those rivals. If they can keep on picking up points and win that game in hand, well who knows.
If the Toffees can sneak into the Champions League places it would open up further transfer possibilities this summer including potentially signing a player of Bailey’s quality.