English club’s manager says 15-goal star’s future is ‘out of control’ after new January links with Leeds United

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There is no midweek game for Leeds United this week after Saturday’s draw against Preston and the January transfer mill is set to gather pace, with The Whites now eyeing a 15-goal Englishman.

Daniel Farke has said he is expecting a quiet window at Leeds. But, Leeds are already being linked with a number of new players, especially after Chris Wilder suggested he will try to bolster Sheffield United.

Leeds do have a couple of areas in the squad that require strengthening. Definitely, competition for USA star Brenden Aaronson is required in the no.10 role and perhaps a left-back and a new striker is needed.

Leeds have been touted with a number of new additions already, and it is still more than two weeks until the January market. The latest player to be eyed is also a target for three Championship promotion rivals.

• READ MORE: Three things learned from Leeds United’s draw with Preston North End

Leeds United want to sign one of Aston Villa’s young attackers

Leeds want to sign Louie Barry, but face competition from Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Burnley ahead of January. He is currently on loan at Stockport County for a second time, where Lew Bate is captain.

Barry has 15 goals in 21 games for League One side Stockport this season. The ‘next Jack Grealish’ is on fire in the third tier and reports say Villa will recall Barry to then send him on loan to a Championship side.

Stockport boss Dave Challinor told BBC Sport that Barry’s future it is out of his control: “When you take a player on loan, especially from a Premier League club, the reality is you know what you’re getting into.

“We obviously hope that he can stay and score another 15 goals and quite selfishly say that monetises his value more than going to a Championship club, but that’s a decision that’s out of our control,” he added.

How Louie Barry compares to Leeds United’s two strikers

Daniel Farke has preferred both Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph up top, with Patrick Bamford yet to start a single Championship game this season. So, how does Barry compare to both Piroe and Joseph so far?

Piroe, Joseph and Barry’s league form compared:

Barry has been excellent but this form has come in England’s third tier. But what Barry has that Leeds are currently lacking is a player that has an undoubted goal threat, either from the left flank or as a striker.

He might be that added weaponry in the final third that Leeds and Farke may need to just get them over the line. Piroe’s record in terms of minutes per goal and assist though, may surprise many.