Leon Bailey: I've turned down Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and City
Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey reveals he has rejected Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey says he has turned down offers from English top clubs Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City as he is wary of not joining one of Europe's elite clubs too early in his career.
The 21-year-old claims Chelsea have wanted him since he was a youth player, but he opted to start his professional career at Belgian side KRC Genk instead of joining 'The Blues'.
"Chelsea have been interested in me since I was maybe 14 or 15, but as a young player you want to start on a normal level and not just go there because of the name of the club," Bailey told FourFourTwo and added:
"You want to develop in the right environment; around the right minds and mentality. Genk was right for me at that moment – I fitted right into the youth system perfectly. That's where I wanted to start, so I went for it."
After Bailey impressed highly at Genk, more English top clubs wanted to sign him. But the Jamaican winger once again turned down the interest from the British Isles and joined Bayer Leverkusen in January 2017.
"Manchester United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool – a lot of clubs were interested. But the most important thing as a pro is taking things a step at a time and not rushing to the top too quickly. Because once you get there, where do you go next?," Bailey said and underlined that he's not thinking about where he will play in the future:
"My focus isn't really on moving anywhere yet. I'm just about what's happening right now rather than what could happen in the future. I'm still learning."
Bailey has made 58 appearances for Leverkusen with 13 goals and seven assists to his name.