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'Advanced' - Sheffield United steam ahead with loan deal for £3.5m Aston Villa ace after Hull…

The latest transfer news as Sheffield United close in on an Aston Villa deal.

Sheffield United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Louie Barry on a season-long loan deal.

Aston Villa have decided to let Barry leave temporarily after previously exploring the possibility of a permanent departure. The winger, who tore League One to shreds with 15 goals and three assists in just 23 matches on loan at Stockport County during the first half of last season, saw his 2024/25 campaign end prematurely due to a knee injury.

Villa reached a full agreement to sell Barry just a couple of weeks ago, Birmingham World understands, but Hull City, who loaned the forward for the second half of last term, were unable to cough up the £3.5 million required. Villa included a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal and Hull were going to cover Barry’s entire salary.

The deal collapsed when the Tigers’ financial troubles unravelled, however, and they have since been placed under a transfer embargo for three windows – including this one. Villa have been seeking a resolution for Barry ever since and Sheffield United have emerged as the likeliest suitors.

Sheffield United close in on Aston Villa deal

The Blades are now expected to loan Barry for the rest of the season, as The Athletic reports talks are at an advanced stage. Sheffield United are said to have been in discussions with Villa for several weeks and a deal is now thought to be close.

New Blades boss Ruben Selles, previously at Hull, could now be set to reunite with his former colleague. The Athletic’s report details that Selles is a ‘keen advocate of Barry’ and is eager to sign the forward to boost Sheffield United’s chances of being promoted to the Premier League.

Despite Villa previously agreeing to a permanent exit with Hull, the Blades have been pursuing a loan deal. Rather crucially, there will be no option to buy at the end of the season. That means, if Barry has a superb 2025/26, Villa could theoretically sell him for a lot more than the £3.5 million Hull had agreed to pay.

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