Insider: Aston Villa to accept Leon Bailey offer, replacement lined up
Unai Emery Eyes Right-Winger Reinforcement as Aston Villa Prepare for Summer Overhaul
Unai Emery is targeting the signing of a new right-winger as part of his ambitious plans to bolster his Aston Villa squad during the summer transfer window. This revelation comes from Mick Brown, a former scout for Villa, Manchester United, and Sunderland, who remains deeply connected within top-tier football circles. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Brown disclosed that Emery has tasked his recruitment department with identifying top-quality candidates to fill the right flank—an area that has long been viewed as a weakness at Villa Park.
This strategic push for a new winger is unfolding amid uncertainty surrounding current wide-man Leon Bailey. Bailey, once seen as a vital piece of the Villa attack, appears to be falling out of favour, with the club now reportedly open to offers for the Jamaican international. Back in February, Brown indicated that Emery no longer considers Bailey a long-term solution for the club and is prepared to offload him to make way for fresh talent.
According to Brown, the right-wing position was a persistent headache for Emery throughout the previous campaign. The team struggled to find consistency, often rotating players and depending heavily on overlapping runs from the right-back to generate attacking width. With the club returning to European football and aiming to compete at the highest level domestically, Emery is now adamant that the time has come to resolve the issue by signing a top-tier winger who can provide both creativity and reliability.
Among the targets under serious consideration is Barcelona forward Ferran Torres. Sources suggest that Emery has already initiated discussions with contacts in Spain to explore the feasibility of bringing the former Manchester City attacker to Villa Park. Known for his versatility and technical ability, Torres could represent a significant upgrade on Villa’s current options and give the team an extra dimension in the final third.
In April, Football Insider revealed that Villa were already exploring the sale of Bailey, with the intention of replacing him with a high-calibre wide forward. Brown emphasized that while Emery wants to strengthen, he’s also aware of the need to balance the books—meaning player sales could precede big-name arrivals.
“The recruitment team has made it clear they want to improve key areas, and the right-wing spot is a major priority,” Brown explained. “They’ve struggled with consistency out wide, often shifting players around or asking the full-backs to do extra work in attack. Emery wants a dedicated, high-level winger to take that burden off the defence and give them a more natural threat.”
Brown added, “Leon Bailey has been the primary option there, but the feedback suggests he may not be the long-term answer Emery wants. If they receive reasonable offers, I expect the club to seriously consider selling him, which would free up funds for a more suitable replacement.”
However, the pursuit of a right-winger isn’t Emery’s only concern this summer. Villa are also reportedly in the mix for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. Football Insider reported on 14 July that Villa have joined the race for the England international, who is attracting widespread attention from Premier League clubs.
There is growing speculation that Gallagher could be allowed to leave Atletico Madrid, where his future remains uncertain despite a relatively successful stint. Several English clubs—including Newcastle United—are closely monitoring developments. According to an exclusive report from 13 July, Atletico have slapped a £50 million price tag on the midfielder as interest continues to grow.
Emery’s summer strategy appears multi-faceted—focused not just on adding quality but also reshaping the squad to better reflect his tactical vision. With a potential shake-up on the cards and big names both arriving and departing, Villa fans could be in for an exciting and transformative transfer window.