Jamaican Winger on Radar of Premier League Elite

Hot property Bailey could be Manchester-bound

Leon Bailey, the Jamaica Under-23 hot-shot, may be on his way to Manchester next year with both United and City closely monitoring the whizzy winger. The teenager, who plies his trade in Belgium with top-tier club Genk, was watched for a second time by Manchester United’s chief scout Jim Lawlor last week.

But it is not just teams in England who are biting at the bit to sign the Jamaican-born teenager, Italian and Spanish giants have also been keeping a close eye on him. After Bailey scooped the prestigious Best Young Player award in Belgium last term, suddenly the big guns from Europe took note and he has been spectacular in this term’s Europa League matches.

And Bailey is on roll as he has recently been included on the shortlist for UEFA’s 2016 Golden Boy award. Winners ‎in previous seasons have included Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba, who were with Monaco and Juventus respectively at the time.

‎But Bailey turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea last year, with Genk expecting a flurry of interest for their star man when the next transfer window opens in January.

He has already bagged three Europa League goals this term, all in front of an array of scouts from Europe’s elite top flight, but failed to be promoted to Jamaica’s squad for their forthcoming Caribbean Cup qualifiers against Suriname and Guyana.

However, only island-based players have been selected for Theodore Whitmore’s first squad since being appointed at interim coach whilst head coach Winfried Schäfer continues to negotiate a severance contract pay-off with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

Bailey‎, who appears destined for the big time, is hot property and may follow the stance of other immensely talented players who have turned down the opportunity to represent Jamaica.

But he has yet to be given the nod to win a full cap‎, and until the JFF up their game and appoint a top coach – more than likely backed financially by their usual Brazilian backers  – then Bailey may explore his heritage and his talents could be utilised with another country.