CHELSEA are hopeful of beating Manchester United and Arsenal to the £85million signing of Leon Bailey, according to reports.
The Bayer Leverkusen winger is one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers and has attracted plenty of interest over recent seasons.
And according to the Sunday Express, Chelsea sent scouts to watch Bailey in action as he came off the bench against Rangers on Thursday.
The Jamaican international, 22, replaced Karim Bellarabi with half an hour remaining at Ibrox but he caused plenty of damage to Steven Gerrard’s side.
Bailey scored a crucial third away goal with two minutes to go to ensure the Bundesliga side took a 3-1 first-leg advantage.
He picked up the ball inside the box, cut inside brilliantly and curled a neat right-footed finish beyond Allan McGregor.
The goal was his seventh of the season although he did miss six weeks in the autumn through injury and then picked up two red cards once he did return to action, limiting himself to 22 appearances so far this term.
Liverpool are also thought to be interested in the pacey winger while German giants Bayern Munich have been tracking him for the last few years.
But Leverkusen would understandably rather sell their star to the Premier League rather than to a Bundesliga rival.
The former Genk man still has three years left to run on the contract he signed in August 2018.
Frank Lampard will finally be looking to bring in some new recruits when the transfer window reopens.
Chelsea were under their transfer ban last summer and – despite having it lifted before January – they went through the entire winter window without making any signings.
Wingers Pedro and Willian are both out of contract at the end of the season and could be let go.
Despite their recent return to the first team and strong form in the absence of Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi, the Blues have no immediate plans to extend their stays at Stamford Bridge.
Willian is a target for North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham as his wife is keen to stay in London while Pedro has been linked with the MLS, Japan and a return to Spain.
The departures of the pair, though, would certainly free up space in the squad and wages for Bailey to come in.
