Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is said to have been in touch with Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey in order to present the club's vision to the player - but the Sky Blues will face competition for his signature.
Bailey has long been tipped for a bright future but has started just ten league games for Leverkusen in 2019/20. Bailey, who can operate on either flank, has managed five goals and three assists in the Bundesliga in total this season.
With Manchester City's Leroy Sane set on a move away from the club, it has been said that City have identified Bailey as a potential replacement for the German. Guardiola recently confirmed that Sane has turned down new contract offers from the club as he looks to seal a move to Bayern Munich.
Foot Mercato now report that Guardiola has already been in touch with Leverkusen's Bailey in order to lay out the club's vision and project. It is further said that there is a 'mutual interest' in a potential transfer, with the 22-year-old 'very interested' in the idea of working under Guardiola.
The Sky Blues are on the hunt for a replacement for Sane, and they have already begun to collect all the necessary information on Bailey - including which other clubs are also interested in his services. However, a deal for the Jamaican will not be easy, as there are a number of major European clubs also keen on bringing him in.
Bailey could be available for around £40m, making him a slightly cheaper alternative for a number of sides. Among those most interested in Bailey are City's local rivals Manchester United, who are looking at the possibility of signing Bailey as a cut-price alternative should they fail in their pursuit of first-choice target Jadon Sancho.
Source : 90min