Latest news with #LeonBailey
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leon Bailey set to depart Aston Villa for Saudi Arabian outfit Neom SC
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey is reportedly on the verge of completing a sensational move to Saudi Arabian Pro League newcomers Neom SC, according to The Sun. The Jamaican international, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2021 for a fee in the region of £27 million, has struggled with consistency during his time at Villa Park, despite flashes of brilliance and moments of attacking flair. Advertisement Bailey has made over 146 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and providing 23 assists across all competitions. Due to Villa's abundance of options in attack, Bailey was on the periphery for large spells of the recently concluded season, where he made just 14 Premier League starts. Neom, one of the ambitious new additions to Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing top-flight league, have now submitted a formal offer worth around £25 million for the 27-year-old winger. After cruising to the First Division title with 79 points from 34 matches, Neom are seeking significant reinforcements ahead of life amongst the elite. Advertisement Bailey has already agreed to personal terms which would see him earn £10m per year, and the move is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. A switch to Neom presents an opportunity for Bailey to play regularly and display a glimpse of the potential that earned him a move to the West Midlands. With Bailey on the verge of leaving and both Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio both set to return to their parent clubs, Villa could be in the market for a new attacker and have been linked with a move for Harvey Barnes. Unai Emery's side just about missed out on a place in the Champions League last time out, finishing behind fifth-place Newcastle United on goal difference.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Leon Bailey set to seal life-changing £25m Saudi Arabia transfer after being left out in cold by Aston Villa
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. 3 3 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. 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. "How they respond and how focused they are on how we prepare for games." Why these WILD Chris Wood & Morgan Rogers stats could spell disaster for Chelsea & Man Utd | Experts' best bets - Weekend Wager 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.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emi Martinez waves tearfully to Villa Park as Unai Emery offers no assurances over future
Emi Martinez produced an emotional exit from Villa Park to put his future in doubt (PA Wire) Emi Martinez appeared to bid a tearful goodbye to Villa Park following Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Tottenham on Friday night. The Argentinian goalkeeper was weeping as he waved to the crowd when leaving the pitch, which marked the final home match of Villa's season. Advertisement Martinez has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer and Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over his future. Asked about the 32-year-old's future, Emery could only say 'we will see'. Villa forward Leon Bailey was also in tears. 'Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don't know,' the Spaniard said. 'We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match. 'Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well. Advertisement 'And we are going to play Manchester (United) for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody. 'And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season.' Second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara strengthened Villa's hopes of returning to the Champions League next term. Villa's memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season's competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games. However, Chelsea's win over Manchester United later on Friday night saw Villa drop to fifth and they will sink further if sixth-placed Manchester City win their game in hand. Boubacar Kamara (right) wrapped things up for Aston Villa against Spurs (Nigel French/PA) (PA Wire) Emery added: 'It's not in our hands. We are winning. But other teams are as well, they are being demanding, and they are getting their points.' Advertisement Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was not prepared to risk defenders Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven ahead of next week's Europa League final after they stayed at home. Spurs' focus was clearly on Wednesday's clash with Manchester United in Bilbao with the defensive trio not even travelling to Villa Park, where Tottenham suffered a 21st defeat of a miserable league season. They could yet still be in the promised land of the Champions League next season as well if they can end their trophy drought in Europe and boss Postecoglou did nothing to jeopardise that at Villa Park. Additional reporting from PA.
17-05-2025
- Sport
No Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emi Martinez
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over the future of Emiliano Martinez after the goalkeeper was in tears following his side's 2-0 win over Europa League finalists Tottenham. The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer - Saudi Arabia has been touted as a possible destination - and he was emotional at full-time of Villa's final home game of the season. Asked about the 32-year-old's future, Emery could only say "we will see", with Villa forward Leon Bailey also in tears. "Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don't know," the Spaniard said. "We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match. "Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well. "And we are going to play Manchester (United) for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody. "And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season." Second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara strengthened Villa's hopes of returning to the Champions League next term. Villa's memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season's competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games. However, Chelsea's win over Manchester United later on Friday night saw Villa drop to fifth and they will sink further if sixth-placed Manchester City win their game in hand. Emery added: "It's not in our hands. We are winning. But other teams are as well, they are being demanding, and they are getting their points."
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘He'll be a big loss' – Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa's final home game
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMI MARTINEZ broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to Aston Villa fans after the victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Villans ended their last home game of the season with a 2-0 win over the North London side. 6 Emi Martinez was in tears at the end of Aston Villa's win over Tottenham Credit: Getty 6 He appeared to wave goodbye to the home supporters Credit: Getty 6 Unai Emery could not give assurances over the goalkeeper's future Credit: Getty Martinez, 32, kept a clean sheet in the match against the Europa League finalists. But at the end of the game, there was little celebration from the Argentine goalkeeper. The stopper could be seen teary-eyed as he applauded the home crowd. The former Arsenal ace has been linked with a move away from Villa Park with Saudi Arabia touted as a possible destination. Manager Unai Emery was asked about the goalkeeper's future in his post-match press conference. The Spaniard was unable to give any assurances that Martinez would be at the club next season. He said: "We will see. "Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don't know. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "We will see about the team, the players. "Of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match." Argentina humiliate Brazil 4-1 with Emi Martinez even doing keepy ups in his own box in fiery World Cup qualifier 6 Martinez has been ever-present in the Villa team since his £20million switch from Arsenal in 2020. He joined the club after only a few months of regular first-team football in the Premier League. He has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football and won the World Cup in 2022. The goalkeeper was also awarded with the Yashin Trophy in 2023 and 2024. Martinez also posted on Instagram a picture of himself looking emotional as he waved to the supporters. He captioned a post: "Thank you for all your support this season. "We finished strong at home but we got one more final to go." Emery also mentioned Leon Bailey who was also in tears at the full-time whistle. He added: "Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well. "And we are going to play Manchester United for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody. "And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season." 6 Leon Bailey was also emotional at the end of the match Credit: Reuters
