Leon Bailey will be considering his options in January if his situation at Bayer Leverkusen does not improve, a source close to the player has told ESPN FC.
Bailey, 21, one of the breakout stars of the 2017-2018 Bundesliga season, has seen his playing time limited at Bayer Leverkusen this term. While featuring in all but one competitive match, the Jamaica youth international winger has not started in a league game since Sept. 26.
Bailey came off the bench during the second half in the four matches which followed and has only spent 514 minutes of a possible 810 on the pitch so far. After 12 goals and 6 assists across all competitions last term he currently stands at just one goal on the second match day this season.
And citing Bailey's record last season, a source close to the player told ESPN FC that in January it will "be considered whatever is in the best interest of the player and in this case it may not be to remain at Leverkusen under these circumstances."
"Leon is 21 now, with aspirations of being one of the worlds top players. He can't do so from the bench in Leverkusen," the source added, explaining that in January all options will be considered if his situation at Bayer does not change.
In August, Bailey signed a new five-year deal at Leverkusen. But the source said he was confident both parties could find a "mutually beneficial" solution "as to avoid leaving or staying with hard feelings."
In the summer, Bailey told kicker that there was concrete interest in him amid rumoured links with Roma, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the president of the Jamaican Football Association has accused Bailey of having an attitude problem.
In an ongoing dispute that is yet to see the winger represent the country of his birth, Bailey was called up to the Jamaica squad in October but failed to make his competitive debut after his brother didn't receive a call-up.
When asked by ESPN FC if he thought Bailey had a slight attitude problem, president Michael Ricketts said: "Yes, I do think so, I really do. He's been very indecisive. He won't become eligible for another country for many years and by then he would be in his late 20s which means he would have wasted a number of years.
"I think he needs to relax a little, stay focused and just let things unfold. He's a good player, a high-quality player, but he must stay focused and humble."