England want Bayer Leverkusen star Bailey to represent them at World Cup

Bengaluru, February 19: Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Leon Bailey is being targeted by England to be part of their World Cup plans this summer.

Bailey is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the Bundesliga and has been courted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe in the world after the mark he has made at the BayArena.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all made approaches for the youngster over the past year in the hope to bring him to the Premier League.

And now England boss Gareth Southgate is keen to bring the 20-year-old into his plans ahead of Russia 2018.

Bailey is Jamaican by birth but qualifies to play for the Three Lions as his grandparents hold British passports. And now Football Association bosses are understood to be working hard to convince him to represent England at international level.

The forward has already represented Jamaica at Under-23 level but has yet to declare himself for his home nation in senior football.

The free-scoring winger also has the opportunity to play for Belgium and Malta, but it is understood the prospect of playing for England is one that excites him.

Southgate is believed to have sent scouts to watch him in action for Leverkusen this season, where he has scored 11 goals in 23 appearances.

And the Kingston-born player is under consideration to be included in the squad for the final two friendly matches before the World Cup squad is named.

England face Holland in Amsterdam on March 23 before entertaining Italy at Wembley four days later.

They are the last opportunities for players to stake a claim for a place in Southgate's plans before he names his group to travel to Russia this summer.

Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck's lack of match action because of injury exposes the lack of options in attack for the Three Lions and that is why Southgate wants the in-form winger.

England's hopes of convincing Bailey the Three Lions should be his country of choice could also be helped by his friendship with Raheem Sterling.

Manchester City star Sterling is of Jamaican heritage and close friends with Bailey - and he is believed to have sold him the idea of playing for England.