The blockbuster Aston Villa and Man Utd swap deal that would break the internet

Aston Villa will have to navigate another complicated summer transfer window, regardless of whether they manage to qualify for the Champions League or not.

Unai Emery’s side are treading a fine line with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) yet again after steering away from troubles around 12 months ago. Even the significant £67 million plus add-ons sale of Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in January hasn’t rid Villa of concerns, with more sales probably needed.

One player perhaps in line for a summer exit is winger Leon Bailey, who has fallen down the pecking order this season. The Jamaican, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for around £25 million in 2021, has contributed just two goals and three assists in 37 appearances this term.

The 27-year-old did brilliantly last campaign as he scored 11 goals and set up a further 13, but that form hasn’t carried over to 2024/25. It’s a great shame, but Bailey appears to be surplus to requirements at Villa Park and Emery could allow a summer move away.

It’s not as easy as just letting him go, though, as Villa could go from being enriched with vast options in wide areas to having very few. Marcus Rashford’s £40 million buy option from Manchester United might not be activated, for example, and Marco Asensio isn’t guaranteed to leave Paris Saint-Germain for a longer-term deal at Villa Park.

As a result, if Villa let Bailey leave, they will probably need to sign a replacement. But what if there were a more straightforward way of making that happen? A swap deal, perhaps? Well, albeit a little left-field, there could be one that’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

Leon Bailey and Alejandro Garnacho swap deal on the cards?

Could a swap deal that’s not yet been considered actually be a decent idea? Bailey for Alejandro Garnacho, the transfer to solve all of life’s problems? Well, not quite, but it could be a decent solution. It may sound like a bonkers suggestion at first glance, but hear us out here.

Man Utd were heavily linked with Bailey at the end of the January transfer window and are understood to maintain an interest, while fellow winger Alejandro Garnacho is on the chopping block at Old Trafford.

Villa are known to be eager to add further versatile talent on the flanks and in attacking midfield. Garnacho, predominantly a left winger but also capable of playing off the right or as a number 10, could provide just that.

You could argue Bailey is more of a right winger and wouldn’t be able to replace Garnacho’s exploits on the opposite side, but Bailey used to play on the left for Leverkusen. In fact, throughout his career, the Jamaica international has featured 129 times as a left winger, only 28 fewer than on the right.

In terms of valuations, United are reportedly willing to let Garnacho leave for as little as £42.5 million. Villa’s valuation of Bailey is understood to be just below that figure, so a player-plus-cash deal could make sense.

The Villans would be getting a player seven years Bailey’s junior and with a higher ceiling, most would argue. Garnacho’s form may have dropped off this term with only five goals in 33 Premier League games, but he’s undoubtedly got great potential.

Although a swap deal wouldn’t help Villa’s PSR cause, it could allow them to add quality in an area they are already planning on bolstering. It could also mean not needing to spend £40 million on Rashford. That side could benefit United, too, as there is now talk that Barcelona would be willing to pay £50 million for Rashford if Villa don’t sign him permanently.

One potential hitch worth noting is the fact that Serie A giants Napoli reportedly hold a strong interest in Garnacho. It awaits to be seen whether the 20-year-old Argentina international would prefer to stay in the Premier League or change his surroundings with a transfer to Italy.