Sunderland target Louie Barry looks set to sign for Hull City.
According to sources, Sunderland are about to miss out on signing Aston Villa attacker Louie Barry, who is now undergoing a medical at Championship rivals Hull City.
The 21-year-old has been the subject of widespread transfer speculation in recent weeks, having been recalled to Villa Park following a highly productive loan spell with Stockport County, in which he scored 15 goals in 23 League One appearances during the first half of the season.
Regis Le Bris’ side was one of several connected with a loan move for the midfielder, with Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Derby County also reportedly interested. Further afield, Celtic were said to have had a large permanent offer for Barry rejected by Villa earlier this month, while French club RC Lens was also said to be keeping an eye on his situation.
However, it appears that the forward, who can play out width or in the middle, will be moving to the MKM Stadium. According to journalist James Hoggarth, writing on X, “Barry is to undergo a medical at Hull City ahead of a loan move”.
The news comes just days after Villa manager Unai Emery intimated that the Champions League club intended to send the prodigy out on loan again this month. Speaking last week, the Spaniard stated: “We have one plan with him, which is to extend his contract and continue his development as a player. How we are working with him now and last year [a loan agreement] is the best approach for him.”
Barry began his youth career with West Brom and signed for La Liga giants Barcelona in 2019. Less than a year later, he returned to England to join Villa, and he has since been loaned out to various EFL clubs. Barry has formerly played for Stockport, Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, and Salford City.
In a November interview, Barry reflected on his career thus far, saying, “I think people forget that I’m only 21 because my name has been around for a while.” Not many 21-year-olds have played as much league football as I have, and experience comes from playing on the pitch. But what has truly matured me is that I have experienced lows and would never want to go back or feel them again.
“Even if you score in every game, you never want to have a negative training session because you don’t want to go through the same things again. If I were to advise a young player right now, I would tell them to go out on loan; no matter how good or horribly things go, it will be better than playing under-21 football. “The experience is extremely valuable.”
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