Leon Bailey primed for England switch? Leverkusen star’s father ‘set for talks with FA’

The Sun carry quotes from the Jamaican-born Bayer Leverkusen winger’s father, who is set for talks with Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth next week.

Bailey issued a public warning to the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) last month, saying they had 10 days to convince him to commit to the Caribbean nation.

However, no agreement was reached, with the report claiming he will now turn to England for international football – and has not ruled out breaking into Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for Russia.

"I will be speaking to Dan Ashworth at the FA next week, but now it is a definite no as far as playing for Jamaica is concerned," Bailey’s adopted father Craig Butler said.

"That will come [going to the World Cup] we will speak to them [the FA], look at all the options and see what they have planned for my son.

"England has always been a great option, it has a lot of Jamaican players that were there before that have played for England."

The 20-year-old, who has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea, has fired nine goals in the Bundesliga this season.

Bailey hopes he is eligible via two grandparents who have English passports, although whether clearance would be granted is highly doubtful.

According to Goal, reports in Jamaica say they were not born in England – meaning he would not meet the residency requirements – while he is connected to his grandparents via adoption rather than direct relation.