Leeds United might be leading the way in the Championship, Premier League football in their sights, but that does not automatically make Elland Road the ideal destination for arguably the most exciting young attacker in the EFL.
Especially when you consider that Daniel Farke already has two forwards of a similar profile fighting for a place in his starting XI.
Largie Ramazani was scoring La Liga goals against Real Madrid last term. These days, the summer signing from UD Almeria is making do with a benchwarming role with Manor Solomon firmly established as Farke’s go-to left-winger.
And that is without mentioning Wilfried Gnonto. Another right-footed wideman who would stroll into the vast majority of Championship XIs without breaking sweat.
So why, Football League expert Ali Maxwell wonders aloud, do Leeds United need to add Louie Barry to their already formidable attacking arsenal?
Leeds United told they don’t need Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry
“They’ve got Solomon, they’ve got Ramazani,” Maxwell argues. “They don’t need another right-footed left-winger even if he would be a nice thing to have.”
This is a point Barry’s parent club, Aston Villa, might well share.
After recalling Barry from his stellar loan spell at Stockport County in League One, Villa will be prioritising a club capable of offering the one-time Barcelona whizzkid the gametime he needs to continue his development in the division above.
And there is arguably no club in a weaker position than Leeds when it comes to guaranteeing regular starts for a player who would find himself up against Solomon, Ramazani and Gnonto too.
Maxwell feels that there are a host of other second-tier clubs who would suit Barry – scorer of 16 goals in 24 Stockport appearances – far better than Leeds United.
If he was to end up at Blackburn Rovers – ‘an excellent developer of loanees’ from Harvey Elliott to Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Barry would hone the sort of defensive awareness most top-clubs, including Aston Villa, look for in their attackers.
Swansea City is another club Maxwell feels Barry would be well-suited too. Derby County have been linked with the ex-West Brom starlet of late, while Hull City coach Ruben Selles has proven himself at Reading to be capable of building a team around youth and potential.
Though Maxwell feels that Barry’s talents would be best suited in the midst of a play-off dogfight. Primarily, in a Sunderland side who’s impressive run under Regis Le Bris comes despite the loss of former talisman – and one-time Leeds prospect – Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town.
EFL expert wants to see Louie Barry join Sunderland
“I want to see him in the promotion battle,” Maxwell says. “I think another benefit of moving to a promotion candidate is then the strong chance of a permanent move and Premier League minutes if they get promotion.
“I’m looking at Middlesbrough. Whether you think they need a left-winger depends on how good you think Burgzorg is and I’m not a fan. I’m trying to imagine Ben Doak and Louie Barry off the wings and I would love to see that.”
Middlesbrough could lose Emmanuel Latte Lath this month, opening up space for Barry at the Riverside.
“Sheffield United I’m looking at as well because they lack depth,” Maxwell adds. Gus Hamer has been playing incredibly off the left but what happens if he gets injured or he is needed in the centre? I don’t think they have a player of [Barry’s] profile.
“But I think the answer is Sunderland. Barry is the closest thing to Jack Clarke that I can really think of. I think he would thrive playing for Sunderland.
“Sunderland and Louie Barry for me would be an incredible fit.”
While a short-term loan deal has been mooted, The Telegraph believe that Aston Villa could yet look to cash in on Barry should they receive an offer of around £10 million, potentially down to those Profit and Sustainability rules.
That would rule out all but the more deep-pocketed Championship clubs.
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