The Birmingham Mail's Ashley Preece has dropped a teasing Aston Villa transfer claim on their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey.

What's the story?

Reports from The Daily Mail suggested that Dean Smith's side are now eyeing up a swoop for the Jamaica international this summer, and Preece has now delivered an exciting update on the situation.

He said (via Twitter): "Put some feelers out yesterday, and found out that he's been offered to lots of Premier League clubs. Nothing imminent on that one, but he is on Villa's list. He fits the profile doesn't he? A player bang in form, 23, fits the profile and can play in a number of different positions in attack.

"That's a deal that can be done if Villa want to act on it. So watch this space with that one, and yeah he's on Villa's list, I can say that with confidence. He looks the real deal."

Fans will be excited

Bailey has been a revelation in the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, and was particularly outstanding in the campaign just gone by, scoring an impressive 15 goals and providing another 11 assists.

Ajax's former youth coach Ronald de Boer once said of Bailey: "He’s so fast it’s not normal. His speed, combined with his technique, is very rare. Exceptional. He has no weak points."

Given that they've appeared to miss out on Emile Smith Rowe after the Arsenal starlet put pen to paper on a new contract at the Emirates Stadium, a move for 23-year-old Bailey would more than make up for that.

The Leverkusen star also has the added advantage of having played Champions League football in recent seasons with the German club, and would add some more European experience to this growing Villa team.

As Preece says, he "fits the profile" of being young and with a lot of potential, but already with bags of quality as evidenced by his performances last season.

That there's a deal to be done if Villa want to act on it should have fans excited at the prospect of him joining ahead of the new Premier League season next month.

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