Chelsea’s bid to steal a match on other suitors of Jamaican winger Leon Bailey has been dealt a huge blow.
The Blues reportedly bided £22 million for the youngster last week, but saw their approach rejected by Bayer Leverkusen, who claim he is not for sale.
Bailey has been in outstanding form this season and set-up both goals in his sides 2-0 win over Stuttgart at the weekend.
His skills and end product has attracted the attention of several top European sides this season, and Chelsea see him as a long term replacement for Willian.
According to Daily Mail, the Blues have been aware of his talents since he was 15 years old when he first came on the European scene, and they continue tracking him at Genk before he signed for Bayer Leverkusen last season.
The Blues are still fighting to keep Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge, but it is becoming clearer by the day that the Belgian fancies a move to Real Madrid. Roman Abramovich believes Bailey can replace the Belgian if he does leave eventually.
The Blues are also interested in AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, but they would have to beat the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal who came very close to signing him last summer.
