Leeds United haven’t gone crazy with transfer fees so far this summer, and it might suggest a more reserved approach from Daniel Farke, who certainly has a number of positions to bolster.
So far this summer, Leeds United have spent £20million on new players: Jaka Bijol cost just £15million whilst latest signing Sebastiaan Bornauw cost the Whites just £5million from Wolfsburg, and Lukas Nmecha joined as a free agent.
It’s taken a small dent out of Leeds United’s £150million transfer budget this summer, and it may well have set the tone for the remainder of the summer transfer window, too.
As we all know, good Premier League players cost an arm and a leg now. For Leeds, in their first season back in the big time, a more cautious approach might be needed with spending to ensure they can add players to all the necessary positions.
Daniel Farke still needs a new goalkeeper, more full-backs, central midfielders, wingers, and maybe one or two more strikers before he can really give his side a fighting chance in the Premier League next season. And one of his January transfer targets could be available for dirt cheap.
Louie Barry in action for Stockport County.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Louie Barry is available, he could be the bargain of the century for Leeds United
Last January, Leeds were linked with Louie Barry. The former Barcelona youngster shone for Stockport County in the first half of the campaign, scoring 15 and assisting two more in 23 League One games. Leeds United wanted to sign Barry on loan but it was Hull City who eventually signed him.
After four games, no goals or assists, Barry’s season was over due to injury. Recent reports revealed how Hull City were set to sign Barry on a permanent deal from Aston Villa, and in a deal that would’ve cost the Tigers just £3.5million. But Leeds’ Yorkshire neighbours have been placed under an embargo and can no longer sign new players for the time being.
For Farke and Leeds United, it could be the perfect opportunity to sign a player who, whilst not Premier League-ready perhaps, still has bags of potential, and for what is a very small transfer fee. Speaking in January this year, Villa boss Unai Emery said of the winger: “He is really performing very well, last year, this year.
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“He did pre-season [with Villa] and we want to introduce him again with us here and to take again another decision with him. But he has potential.”
Three reasons why Leeds United should jump at Louie Barry deal
It’d be a cost-effective squad-booster for Daniel Farke
Leeds’ first-team squad looks painfully low on numbers right now. Bodies are needed and Barry arriving for such a small fee would give Farke an exciting player in a key position, albeit a player for the future.
He could play a bit part role next season; coming off the bench late in games, starting the odd game to give others a break, and maybe the season after he could be a Premier League-ready player, whose transfer value would only skyrocket from the initial £3.5million that he’s reportedly available for this summer.
Club Games Goals Assists
Stockport 46 25 7
MK Dons 32 1 3
Villa U23s 22 15 2
Salford City 21 2 1
Swindon Town 16 6 1
Leeds United have already done their homework on Louie Barry
The 22-year-old was quite heavily linked with a move to Elland Road last January. For Farke, signing him now would be a case of simply going in and doing the deal. He wouldn’t need to go out and re-scout him and put together a report and so on and they already have that.
Already this summer, Sunderland have beaten Leeds United to several signings. Time is of the essence in the summer transfer window but Barry could be a quickfire signing for the Whites.
Leeds United have nothing to lose signing Louie Barry
Leading on from the first point: with Barry being such a cheap signing, and for a player who last season had half the Championship on alert, there’d be very little to lose if Leeds went in and completed a £3.5million deal for his signature.
If the club goes on to steady themselves in the Premier League then £3.5million would prove nothing to them, if Barry doesn’t succeed. But if the club is relegated then they have him for the Championship, too.
There seems to be very little downside to this potential move but a lot of upside.