Leon Bailey pens Leverkusen contract extension

Leon Bailey has signed a one-year contract extension with German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen amidst transfer rumours linking him to some of Europe’s top clubs.

The Jamaican star winger and 2017/18 Bundesliga Newcomer of the Year extended his deal until 2023, his club announced on Sunday. Bailey tallied nine goals and six assists in 30 league outings for Leverkusen, becoming one of the standout performers in Germany’s top flight last season. His performances helped them secure Europa League football for the 18/19 season, only missing out on a Champions League place due to goal difference.  His three goals in the German Cup also helped them reach the semi-finals of that competition.

🚨 CONTRACT EXTENSION 🚨@leonbailey has extended his contract with us until 2023! pic.twitter.com/RiUAvKjnQF

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 19, 2018

His play has attracted interest from top clubs in England and AS Roma in Italy, while six-time defending Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, reportedly tabled a €60 m bid for Bailey which was swiftly rejected.

“Over the past weeks and months, there have been constant rumours about Leon’s future. The player has obviously been flattered to be sought after by one or two of the big clubs,” Bayer’s sporting director, Jonas Boldt, said in a statement. “However, he really feels at home at Leverkusen, he is very professional in his approach and he knows Bayer 04 is a very good club where he can continue to develop. That’s why we agreed to extend his contract early,”

2023 📄✍️ @leonbailey pic.twitter.com/LRkthzuh6Q

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 19, 2018

Bailey joined Leverkusen in January 2017 from Genk after impressive performance domestically and in the Europa League for the Belgian outfit.

Leverkusen will kickoff their 2018/19 campaign with a visit to arch-rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach (11:30 a.m. JA time kickoff) this Saturday.