Aston Villa, Leeds United transfer talk may be cause for Tottenham concern | OneFootball

Leeds have been linked with a move for Louie Barry this month, and that could have a negative impact on the progress of Spurs loanee Manor Solomon...

Leeds United are among a host of Championship clubs linked with the signature of Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry this month, and Tottenham Hotspur may secretly be hoping the former Barcelona youngster doesn't make a switch to Elland Road.

The Whites are said to be admirers of the versatile 21-year-old forward, whilst the likes of QPR, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County have all been linked with a move for the former England youth international.

It's the Rams who are understood to be progressing with a deal for the Aston Villa youngster, who has been recalled to Villa Park following a highly fruitful loan spell with League One side Stockport County.

The race for Barry's signature was always going to be one of the biggest storylines heading into the winter window as far as the Championship is concerned, but Premier League side Spurs may well be crossing their fingers that the talented forward doesn't end up in a Leeds United shirt this month.

Spurs already have Manor Solomon on loan at Leeds United, and a Louie Barry deal could hinder his progress

Joining in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham, Israeli international Manor Solomon has proven himself to be a very smart piece of business by Leeds United in the first half of the season.

Capable of playing on either flank or through the middle, the 25-year-old has been a vital piece of squad depth for Whites boss Daniel Farke, bagging three goals and four assists from his opening 19 Championship appearances.

He's largely been backing up Wilfried Gnonto on the left side of Leeds' attack, but has begun to see more starting opportunities come his way in recent weeks, and he's largely impressed when given the chance to do so.

Therefore, Spurs must be thrilled with how he's performing at Elland Road, and having been unable to really carve out a role in the senior side since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July 2023 as a 23-year-old.

However, should Barry agree a move to Leeds this month, Solomon could find himself having to compete with a highly impressive and fast-developing forward that Aston Villa would surely demand Farke to find a meaningful role for in his side.

Louie Barry's versatility could mean that Manor Solomon's development isn't impacted too much

Barry has been predominantly operating as a left-winger during his time with Stockport County in the first half of the season, from which he's scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances - per Transfermarkt.

But, the left flank isn't the only position he can play and have a big impact from. The former Ipswich, Swindon, MK Dons and Salford loanee has also made a number of appearances as a centre-forward and as an attacking midfielder through the middle of the pitch.

With Gnonto and Solomon both excellent options on the left, Barry may not receive the regular playing time in that role that he and Villa would surely command when agreeing any deal to a Championship outfit this month.

However, the centre of Leeds' attack could perhaps require some bolstering, with just Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph being the only natural senior options through the middle.

Whilst in the central attacking midfield role, Brenden Aaronson is Farke's starting choice, but the Leeds boss doesn't appear to have too many options behind the American international in that department.

It's in either of these roles that Barry could find more opportunities to showcase his talent in a Leeds shirt should he sign for the club, and so perhaps Spurs needn't concern themselves too much over the prospect of their loan star losing out because of a potential Barry move to West Yorkshire.