Leon Bailey to Al Diriyah
Verdict Delivered
This rumor DIED. It was dropped from the board after going quiet, last rated 8%.
| Move | Villa → Al Diriyah |
| Outcome | Never happened |
| Rated at the end | 8% |
| Resolved | September 3rd |
Overtaken by Olympiacos. Fabrizio Romano reported at 13:38 UTC on September 2nd that the Greek club had reached a verbal agreement for a permanent transfer, that Villa had given the green light, and that Bailey was flying to Athens for a medical. Matt Maher confirmed in the Express & Star an hour later that Villa are negotiating a sale to Olympiacos. Al Diriyah's route had rested on Bailey staying past the English deadline, which he did, and the Saudi window runs to September 6th, so it is not formally shut; but with the player travelling to sign elsewhere it is no longer the live option. Bailey has 12 months left on his contract and has not been in a Premier League matchday squad this season.
Related
How the Story Moved
| Date | What changed | |
|---|---|---|
| August 29th | Tracked | Rumor opened on the board at 30% (contact) — source: Fabrizio Romano (X). Fabrizio Romano reported at 8:32am UK time on August 29th that Bailey is expected to leave Villa before the window shuts, with negotiations ongoing after several clubs -- including Al Diriyah, Hull City, and Sevilla -- asked Villa for conditions to sign the winger. It follows Unai Emery saying on August 28th that a second attempted Hull move had fallen through, with the club still hoping to find Bailey an exit before Tuesday's deadline. Bailey has a year left on his contract, wages of around £120,000 a week have been the obstacle throughout the summer, and Villa want a fee rather than a loan. |
| September 2nd | Moved | Likelihood fell from 30% to 8% (cooling). Overtaken by Olympiacos. Fabrizio Romano reported at 13:38 UTC on September 2nd that the Greek club had reached a verbal agreement for a permanent transfer, that Villa had given the green light, and that Bailey was flying to Athens for a medical. Matt Maher confirmed in the Express & Star an hour later that Villa are negotiating a sale to Olympiacos. Al Diriyah's route had rested on Bailey staying past the English deadline, which he did, and the Saudi window runs to September 6th, so it is not formally shut; but with the player travelling to sign elsewhere it is no longer the live option. Bailey has 12 months left on his contract and has not been in a Premier League matchday squad this season. |
| September 3rd | Verdict | Rumor died — dropped from the board at 8% |
Timeline since the rumor joined the board.