Leeds United have been linked with signing a new striker in the January transfer window with doubts emerging over the future of two of Daniel Farke’s four options up top.
Patrick Bamford is yet to start a single Championship game for Leeds and reports say Bamford could now go. Wrexham and Genoa are being linked with Bamford, with the £40k-a-week star lacking in game time.
Joe Gelhardt wants to leave Leeds, too. The former Wigan talent has failed to live up to potential and has hardly had a look in under Daniel Farke, since the German arrived as manager of the Championship side.
With Gelhardt likely to go and there being a strong chance that Bamford follows, Leeds will need to sign a striker and one player being linked with a move to Elland Road is Aston Villa talent Louie Barry in January.
Leeds fans react as Aston Villa make Louie Barry decision
Barry has been on fire with Lew Bate’s Stockport County this season, scoring 15 goals in 22 games and laying on three assists. Leeds are keen on Barry, but so are the likes of Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Now, Aston Villa have confirmed they will be recalling Barry with the likelihood that they will send him back on loan to a Championship club in January. Leeds fans have urged the 49ers to take action.
Like the above, another Leeds fans begged Aston Villa to send Barry to Elland Road by posting on X: “Get him to Leeds for the second half of the season please Villa,” while another said “Leeds is a great city”.
Plenty of other Leeds supporters were in the replies to Aston Villa’s confirmation that Barry’s loan at Stockport is being cancelled in January. One said “Leeds please” and another posted “come to Leeds”.
Another fan of Farke’s side said “you like Yorkshire puddings?”, and one simply said “get him in”. It is unclear who he will join in January, but the feeling is he will be sent to a Championship club next month.
If Leeds don’t sign him, he’s only going to strengthen a rival
The issue Leeds have in not getting a deal done for Barry, is that the chances are is he will be joining a club right at the top of the Championship table. Sheffield United are also interested in landing Barry.
Not only does Barry give Farke another weapon in attack, possibly able to produce magic out of nothing, but it would prevent strengthening Sunderland, Sheffield United or Burnley in the race for promotion.
Leeds have to do a deal for Barry, not just to improve Farke’s current side but to stop others from strengthening. Failure to do so and it could be the difference between the top two, and the play-offs.
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