Butler confirms Chelsea, Barca interest in Bailey

Leon Bailey's agent and father, Craig Butler, confirmed that both Chelsea and Barcelona are keen on signing the

20-year-old Jamaican winger in the January transfer window after his impressive season so far with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.

At least five major British newspaper reported yesterday that the skilful and speedy Jamaican is The Blues' main target for the winter market, adding that the London club has registered an offer of £20 millionvfor the left-foot attacker.

Butler confirmed to The Gleaner that both clubs have enquired about his player, but was tight-lipped on the possibility of a move in the middle of the season.

"Leon is happy and performing to the best of his ability and enjoying football, while I continue to do the job of ensuring the opportunities are well exploited," said Butler. "But at this point, it is early (in his Bundesliga career) and we are focusing on the season."

"We must give the clubs that are interested the respect they deserve, but if conditions are adequate and all the parties benefit, then we will consider them at this time, as I'm sure Leverkusen will be focused on doing the best we can," he said.

AWARD-WINNING PLAYER

Bailey joined Bayer Leverkusen in the 2016-2017 winter transfer window for a fee of EU20 million, after spending one-and-a-half seasons in the Belgian League with K.R.C Genk, where he won the Young Player of the Year and Best Europa League Goal awards that season.

Although the young winger did not feature much after his initial transfer to Germany, since the start of the current Bundesliga campaign, he has set the league alight with his four goals, two assists and two Man of the Match performances, helping Leverkusen to fourth in the league and unbeaten in 11 matches.

Bailey has caught the eye of football interest right across he world.

He is yet to make his senior international debut due to an ongoing difference between Butler and the Jamaica Football Federation.