Aston Villa player Louie Barry. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)
Leeds United could be favorites in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Louie Barry on loan in January, according to reports.
Barry enjoyed an impressive first half of the season on loan with League One club Stockport County, scoring 15 goals and three assists in 22 appearances in all competitions.
Leeds United hope to beat Chelsea to sign highly-rated midfielder in January!
This comes after scoring nine goals and four assists in 20 League Two games to help the Hatters win the title and earn promotion last season.
However, Barry will play just two more games for Stockport, who are fifth in League One, before being recalled by Aston Villa at the start of January.
Villa will then assess Barry before deciding his next steps, but the player himself feels he has been given the chance to compete with Ollie Watkins and John Doran in Unai Emery's squad.
“The main goal now is to return to Villa and I think I have deserved that now,” he said. “It's about showing what I can do when I come back and hopefully progressing. That's goal number one.”
Louie Barry: Leeds receives a boost in pursuit of Villa youngster
Recent reports (trans Leeds United News) A host of Championship clubs have linked Barry with a loan move in January.
Sheffield United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Leeds They are among those with a rumored interest.
However, Boro's interest is thought to be less tangible, which could give Leeds an advantage in the race to sign Barry – especially as Sheffield United have Kiefer Moore and Tyrese Campbell at their disposal and Sunderland's form has been inconsistent of late.
Barry's last two matches for Stockport will come at Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United on Boxing Day and December 29 respectively.
