AS Roma are on the brink of completing a deal for Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, with negotiations now at an advanced stage and only the final details left to settle.
Softfootball reported that the Jamaican international has been left out of Villa’s squad for their Premier League opener against Newcastle, and his preference is understood to be a switch to Italy over interest from Spain, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia.
Roma have offered a €4 million loan fee, with an option to buy set at €16 million at the end of the season. Bailey’s representatives are already in Italy to finalise personal terms, while both clubs continue ironing out the last contractual points. The deal is expected to be wrapped up in the coming days, possibly even before the weekend.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reiterated the possibility of a deal via his official X account. He said:
“Understand AS Roma are closing in on Leon Bailey deal from Aston Villa!
“Agreement very close after positive meeting with his agents and intermediaries tonight.
“Bailey prefers Roma over Spanish clubs, details to be sorted with Aston Villa and then all done.”
Bailey, 28, extended his Villa contract in February 2024 through to 2027, but has slipped down the pecking order under Unai Emery.
Once a key attacking outlet, he managed just over 2,000 minutes of first-team football last season and has been training away from the main group in recent weeks. His omission from Villa’s matchday squad was viewed as a strong indicator that a move was imminent.
For Roma, Bailey represents a significant addition to Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad. The Serie A side see his explosive pace, direct dribbling, and versatility across the front line as vital tools to strengthen their wide options. Bailey, who made his name at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to the Premier League in 2021, would become Roma’s seventh summer signing and their second recruit from England.
While Turkish side Besiktas and clubs in the Saudi Pro League had explored moves earlier in the summer, Roma have moved quickest and are now clear front-runners. Club officials, including sporting director Frederic Massara, remain in close contact with Aston Villa’s hierarchy, with confidence growing that Bailey will soon be unveiled in Giallorossi colours.
