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Manager now drops £25m player from his squad after Tottenham make transfer phone call

Billy Meyers

Wed 23 April 2025 16:15, UK

Tottenham could make a few signings from within the Premier League this summer.

Spurs enquired about Yoane Wissa in January, only to be rebuffed by Brentford, although the Bees are succession planning in fear of losing the DR Congo international and Bryan Mbeumo this summer.

Furthermore, Tottenham are also said to have bid for Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolves, who scored and assisted against Spurs in the recent 4-2 thriller at Molineux.

The north Londoners also had a look at Villa Park in February, as Tottenham called Aston Villa to ask about Leon Bailey – and there has now been an interesting development involving the Jamaica international.

Unai Emery admits he dropped Leon Bailey for tactical reasons

The Aston Villa No.31 was the subject of an enquiry from Spurs during the winter, and Unai Emery has now opted to drop him from his squad.

Bailey – a signing from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2021 – was nowhere to be seen when Aston Villa took on Manchester City on Tuesday night, and when asked why the Jamaican was left out of the squad, an abrupt answer was given.

Emery bluntly told Sport: “(Because) we have to take off three players.”

The Spaniard’s answer leaves a lot to be desired – of course – but reading between the lines, he seems unhappy with the man born in Kingston.

Emery could have simply offered the more media-trained answer, along the lines of praising Bailey for his efforts in training but admitting the competition is too strong to offer a spot on the bench on this occasion.

However, the bluntness of his response has only provided more reason to believe the 27-year-old could well be sold this summer.

Hard for Tottenham to plan

While Bailey could join Spurs this summer, much is uncertain at Tottenham, making it hard for the north Londoners to plan.

What a finish. 🔥

@JacobRamsey28 🤝

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial)

Ange Postecoglou could be sacked even if Tottenham manage to win the UEFA Europa League, with those in the boardroom concerned by the fact Spurs currently sit 16th in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
13	EvertonEverton	33	8	14	11	34	40	-6	38
14	Man UtdManchester United	33	10	8	15	38	46	-8	38
15	WolvesWolves	33	11	5	17	48	61	-13	38
16	TottenhamTottenham	33	11	4	18	61	51	10	37
17	West HamWest Ham	33	9	9	15	37	55	-18	36
18	IpswichIpswich	33	4	9	20	33	71	-38	21
19	LeicesterLeicester	33	4	6	23	27	73	-46	18

Therefore, even if progress is made on a deal to sign Bailey, a new manager might decide he doesn’t want the winger as part of his squad, so Tottenham really need to make a decision on the Australian’s future as soon as possible.