Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to big Sheffield United transfer news involving Aston Villa's Louie Barry | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie spoke exclusively to Football League World about Sheffield United's impending signing of Aston Villa forward Louie Barry

Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that Louie Barry has a "massive" opportunity to establish himself in the Championship as he closes in on a loan switch to Sheffield United from the Villains.

Recent reports have revealed that Villa forward Barry is in "advanced talks" to move to Bramall Lane on a season-long loan after he saw a proposed agreement to join Championship rivals Hull City fall through due to the Tigers' inability to meet a £3.5 million deal with Unai Emery's side before being placed under a three-window transfer embargo.

Barry, of course, spent the second-half of the 2024/25 Championship campaign on loan under now-Blades head coach Ruben Selles at Hull, where he would make just four appearances owing to a serious hamstring injury. His progress was halted at the MKM Stadium following a stunning loan stint in League One with Stockport County, where he returned 16 goals from just 24 appearances before January to earn interest across the Championship.

Selles, though, has remained keen on Barry after being appointed as Chris Wilder's successor in the red-and-white quarters of the Steel City, with the popular Yorkshireman having been relieved of his duties in the aftermath of United's agonising 2-1 play-off final defeat to Sunderland in May.

The Spaniard, who himself was contentiously dismissed by Hull despite keeping the East Yorkshire outfit in the Championship on the final day of the season, will now be looking to take the Blades back to the promised land with Barry at the forefront of those ambitions, having confirmed last week that the club will target loan and free agent acquisitions after Football League World exclusively revealed that immediate transfer policy ahead of the 25/26 season.

Lee Hendrie reacts to big Sheffield United, Aston Villa transfer news involving Louie Barry

Speaking exclusively to FLW, Hendrie explained how he believes Barry has the potential to make the grade at a top-bracket Championship club with aspirations of reaching the Premier League in what represents an "absolutely massive" opportunity for the 22-year-old.

Though most at home on the left of a front three, Barry can operate centrally or even behind the striker in the number 10 role and Hendrie lauded his positional flexibility and goalscoring prowess as he edges closer to completing his switch to Sheffield United.

"Louie Barry, it looks like he's Sheffield United-bound on a season-long loan," Hendrie told FLW.

"I feel he's got the potential to fit in at a top Championship club, I really do.

"I've watched his progression and I think Sheffield United will be a real good fit. He can play in a number of positions, he can play in the number 10 role, he can play centre-forward, he can play out wide, and he scores goals and has bags of energy and pace.

"I think he's waiting to really burst onto the Championship scene.

"It didn't quite happen for him at Hull because he had that injury, but knowing Louie Barry, he will be champing at the bit and the opportunity to go to a club like Sheffield United is absolutely massive for him."

Aston Villa's Louie Barry will address a key area for Sheffield United and Ruben Selles

It's no secret that Sheffield United need to bolster the top-end of the pitch if they are to avenge last season's heartbreak at failing to achieve promotion and falling at the final hurdle after winning no less than 92 points.

Selles has already confirmed that Gus Hamer, who could well leave the Blades this summer amid interest elsewhere after winning the Championship's Player of the Year Award, will be pushed back into central midfield after operating in a free role on the left-hand side of attack under Wilder last term, which means that fresh additions are required out wide.

Barry, of course, is set to be one of those in what will represent a serious and reassuring boost for Selles, who can, at present, only call upon the untested trio of Jefferson Caceres, Christian Nwachukwu and Ehije Ukaki - all snapped up as part of Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy's AI-driven recruitment policy - as natural wide options.

It will be hoped that Barry is the first of a series of attacking reinforcements in the weeks to come at Bramall Lane ahead of the season opener at home to last season's play-off semi-finalists Bristol City on August 9.