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Leon Bailey has returned to Aston Villa after having his season-long at Italian club Roma cut short.
Roma had been paying the Jamaica international’s full salary as well as this season’s amortisation. The Italian club also agreed the option of buying Bailey at the end of the season for around €22million (£19m; $25.7m).
However, the winger has struggled with injury this season, making just seven Serie A appearances and playing in different positions, including as a striker.
Roma did not have a break clause in the contract, with Villa needing to agree to the termination of the loan spell.
Villa are in negotiations with Roma for a deal for Tammy Abraham, with club figures currently in Turkey to try and formalise an agreement for the forward to terminate his current loan, which comes with an obligation, at Besiktas. Last week, Donyell Malen joined Roma in a deal worth an overall package of €27m.
Villa are light in midfield with The Athletic revealing Boubacar Kamara is set to miss the rest of the season. In wide areas, John McGinn also sustained an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Everton and need cover.
Earlier this month, Emery denied reports of Bailey returning.
“We must keep him playing in Rome,” he said. “He has some injuries, because we have followed him in his process. Our idea is still the same — to be on loan there.”
Bailey has made 144 appearances for Villa since joining in 2021, scoring 22 times and registering 24 assists. They are next in action in the Europa League against Fenerbahce on Thursday.
