Leon Bailey set to seal life-changing £25m Saudi Arabia transfer after being left out in cold by Aston Villa
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LEON BAILEY is expected to seal a life-changing £25 million move to Saudi Arabia this week.
The Aston Villa forward is the subject of an offer believed to be from league newcomers Neom.
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Leon Bailey scored only two goals in 38 games for Villa this season
Credit: Reuters
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The Jamaican international did not enjoy a good second half of the season
Credit: Reuters
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Villa boss Unai Emery has a big summer ahead of him
Credit: Reuters
His agents have already held initial discussions with the Pro League club.
Jamaican international Bailey, 27, is set to earn up to £10 million a year, tax-free.
He was a key member of the Villa squad that qualified for the Champions League last season but has since fallen out of favour.
The emergence of Morgan Rogers and the arrival of Marcus Rashford, combined with a series of niggling injuries, frustrated Bailey throughout the past campaign.
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Bailey's imminent departure adds to mounting speculation that Emi Martinez could also leave the club this summer.
The Argentine World Cup winner was left in tears after Villa's final home game of the season, further fuelling rumours that it may have been his last appearance at Villa Park.
When asked about the futures of both Bailey and Martinez ahead of the final game of the season, Villa boss Unai Emery said: 'Now we are focused on the matches we are playing.
"It is the last match here I don't know, we will see. We will see about the team and the players.
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"How they respond and how focused they are on how we prepare for games."
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Villa are set for a big summer having already said goodbye to winger Marcus Rashford, who arrived from Manchester United late last season and made a significant impact.
The 27-year-old had been sidelined by United manager Ruben Amorim but was a breath of fresh air as Villa narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot.
Sunsport understands Rashford has not entirely ruled out a return to Villa Park.
However, interest from clubs abroad has made negotiations delicate at this stage.
Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa's final home game of the season.
Some feared it was a farewell and since then he was linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
Man United, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be keen.
Martinez's contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa's PSR concerns.
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