Craig Butler has rejected claims that AS Roma let go of Leon Bailey during the January transfer window. Instead, the agent stated that Aston Villa asked for the winger’s return to support their squad depth. Speaking to CVM Television, Butler explained what led to the Jamaican international’s early exit.
Craig Butler Explains Leon Bailey’s Return to Aston Villa
Details later reported by Giallorossi.net reveal that the 28-year-old joined the Italian club on loan last summer. However, his time in Italy was challenging due to an injury that sidelined him for two months. As a result, he played only 317 minutes in 11 matches, contributing just one assist. Although some Italian sources suggested that Gian Piero Gasperini didn’t want him, Butler pointed out that Unai Emery made the decision to bring Bailey back to enhance Villa’s squad.
“He didn’t return to Aston Villa because Roma didn’t want him, but because the English club needed him,” he stated.
A Necessary Reinforcement?