Leicester City have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen forward Leon Bailey.

What’s the story?

Brendan Rodgers' side have been linked with a move for the Jamaica international in recent weeks, but fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa have now agreed a deal for the 23-year-old.

This afternoon, the Foxes' Midlands rivals tweeted: "Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement for the transfer of Leon Bailey subject to the player completing a medical and finalising personal terms."

Rodgers will be gutted

Bailey enjoyed a fabulous 2020/21 campaign, scoring 15 goals in 40 appearances for Die Werkself despite the club’s struggles in the second half of the season.

He also provided an impressive 11 assists in all competitions, highlighting the youngster’s ability to create and score on a regular basis, assets which Rodgers will surely be gutted to see on display away from the King Power Stadium given Marc Albrighton's comparatively low output from the right flank last term.

Leverkusen were believed to have placed a £30m price tag on their prized asset, and it’s easy to understand why. His outstanding performances last season earned several plaudits from onlookers, including former Ajax and Barcelona star Ronald de Boer.

“He’s so fast it’s not normal. His speed, combined with his technique, is very rare. Exceptional. He has no weak points,” said the Dutchman.

The diminutive winger has terrorised Bundesliga defences on a regular basis throughout his time in Germany, using his electrifying pace and dribbling ability to devastating effect.

Bailey’s exploits in the 2020/21 campaign illustrate that he’s ready for the next step in his career, and Leicester fans will surely be disappointed to see him slip through their fingers, particularly to their Midlands rivals.

With Cengiz Under’s tame loan spell in the Midlands seeing him join Marseille from parent club AS Roma and leaving Leicester very short on right-sided attacking options, Bailey's impending move to Aston Villa will force Rodgers to go back to the drawing board in his search for alternative targets.

In other news... Imagine him and Tielemans: Rudkin must complete Leicester swoop for £21.2m “menace”