Leeds United join Sheffield United and Middlesbrough in transfer battle for Aston Villa player | OneFootball

Leeds United are the latest club to show an interest in Aston Villa's Louie Barry after his outstanding form with Stockport County.

Leeds United are the latest club to show an interest in Louie Barry, with Aston Villa set to send the forward to the Championship after his productive spell with Stockport County.

The attacker has been highly-rated for some time, with Villa paying around €1m to sign Barry from Barcelona when he was just 16.

Since then, the 21-year-old has had various loan spells, although it wasn’t until he joined Stockport last season that things started to click for the player.

Barry scored nine goals from 20 appearances as County won promotion to the third tier, and his game has gone up another level this season, as he has managed 14 in 19 in the third tier.

Leeds United interested in Louie Barry

Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that Villa are keen to recall Barry in the New Year, in order to send the player to a Championship side, with reports stating that Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Coventry are among a host of clubs chasing his signature.

However, in a fresh development, TEAMtalk has revealed that Leeds are now looking to sign Barry on loan, as Daniel Farke looks to strengthen his squad in the January window.

The prospect of joining the Whites is sure to appeal, as they are a big club, and they currently sit top of the Championship ahead of Wednesday’s fixtures, with promotion a real possibility this season.

Leeds United need quality in January

Whilst Barry is an outstanding prospect, and someone who could make a big difference to a Championship side this season, this is a surprising rumour as Leeds are well-stocked for wide forwards.

Barry’s versatility will appeal, as he can play down either flank or centrally, but many of his big moments for Stockport have come from the left-side of the attack.

Yet, that’s not an area Leeds desperately need to improve, as they have Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto, Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon, so they have so much quality already.

It’s a different story when it comes to the attacking midfield role, or a central striker, and Barry could play as a number nine. However, that may not be the role to get the best out of him, and it could be argued that Leeds need someone who is better with their back to goal to bring those attacking talents into play.