Leeds United are in the mix of a four-way tussle with three Championship promotion rivals to sign a player currently starring in English football, with 15 goals in 21 games.
The Whites had been expecting to have a bit of a quiet January window but already, the club are being linked with a multitude of players going into next month’s window to strengthen a promotion push.
Indeed, last season saw Leeds only sign Connor Roberts on loan and that saw the Yorkshire side fall behind Ipswich Town who worked hard to bring in a whole list of new signings back in January 2024.
Leeds could do with a no.10 and a more-consistent source of goals in the final third, while cover on the left side of the defence may become important. Now, an Aston Villa player has taken Leeds’ fancy.
Louie Barry of Stockport County looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Stockport County FC and Wrexham AFC at Edgeley Park on Novembe...
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When football fans hear the name Louie Barry, it will remind them of the West Brom youngster that joined Barcelona’s academy in the summer of 2019. Six months after that, he was back in the Midlands.
Aston Villa bought him back from the Nou Camp and it may come as a surprise to know that Barry has now been on the books at Villa for five years, going out on loan six times during his Aston Villa stint.
Lew Bate is currently shining as Stockport County captain, but Barry is impressing in front of him. Indeed, the Aston Villa talent has a huge 15 goals in 21 games and it goes without saying, clubs are watching.
The Sunday Mirror (15/12, p67) that Aston Villa are set to cancel Barry’s Stockport loan at the halfway stage and send him on loan to a Championship club with four lurking and Leeds United are one of them.
Louie Barry, number 20 of Stockport County F.C., celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Stockport County and Wrexham at Edge...
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The three clubs Leeds have to rival for Louie Barry’s signature
The report says that Barry has pretty much, the cream of the crop to choose from in the Championship. Leeds are keen on the striker, who has pretty much played a 50-50 split of up front, or on the left wing.
But Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Burnley also want Barry. Three teams that are all strong contenders for the play-offs and in Burnley and Sunderland, two sides that are still in the mix for the top two places.
Nicknamed ‘the little Jamie Vardy’ following his move to Barcelona, Barry clearly knows where the back of the net is and that confidence and goal threat might just provide Leeds with the injection they require.