Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has issued a hands off warning to clubs interested in signing Leon Bailey during the January transfer window.
Chelsea reportedly had a £22m offer turned down by the German club for the Jamaican last week, while Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the 20 year old. Speaking out about the rumours that the winger could leave the Bundesliga next month, Voller said the club are not in a position where they need to sell:
“We have proven many times that we can say ‘no’. We are very relaxed.”
The Evening Standard have now confirmed the Daily Mail‘s report last week that the Blues have put the signing of Bailey on the back burner until the summer. The midfielder only signed from Racing Genk for £13m last January, and it looks as though Leverkusen have no interest in selling so soon after buying the player.
There was a suggestion that Chelsea could sign Bailey and then loan back the winger to the German side, but going from Voller’s comments, this looks like a non-starter.