Aston Villa to make Louie Barry loan decision amid Leeds United interest
Carlton Palmer does not see Louie Barry joining Leeds United on loan in January despite rumours linking the Whites with a swoop.
A report from TEAMtalk emerged earlier this week linking Leeds with a loan move for the 21-year-old attacker, who has excelled at Stockport County this season.
With several Whites players potentially departing the club, Leeds may be in the market for attacking reinforcements come January and Aston Villa loanee Barry emerged as a rumoured target.
Palmer, though, is surprised to see reports Villa will recall Barry given how well he has done at Stockport and thinks they will decide to not recall him despite their desire for him to play at a higher level.
“There is a long list of teams queuing up and looking at the progress that Louie Barry has made at Stockport County,” explained Palmer in an interview with Football League World (12 December).
“Sheffield United, QPR, Coventry, Stoke, Leeds United, and I believe Sheffield Wednesday have been running the rule over him. They’re all interested in taking him in January.
“They (Stockport County) agreed on a loan deal until the end of the season, and I think there is a lot of loyalty between football clubs. I do believe that.
“I don’t believe that Aston Villa will recall him to send him out to a higher league for the second half of the season.”
Leeds United may have to look elsewhere in January
Whether any move for Barry materialises in January, the title chasers cannot afford to hedge their bets on winning the race for his signature and must explore other options.
Typically operating on the left of a front three, Barry doesn’t necessarily fit the criteria for the type of signing Leeds need to make in January which is a striker.
In a squad full of talent, that area of the team has been the weakest by some margin with Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph failing to live up to the standard expected of a number nine.
While Barry could prove to an excellent pickup, priorities have to be on signing a robust centre forward capable of scoring goals on a regular basis.
If Leeds can achieve this in January, their promotion chances go up tenfold and it becomes difficult to envisage a scenario ending in anything other than promotion back to the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, a journo has shared an update on Junior Firpo’s contract stance.
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