Leeds United has struggled with their strikers throughout the 2024/25 season.
While Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph have done well on occasion, the Whites’ number nines appear to have a lot more potential.
So, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that throughout the winter transfer season, numerous strikers have been connected with an Elland Road departure.
One of those players has been Aston Villa prodigy Louie Barry, who was recalled from his loan at Stockport County to give him a chance to play at a higher level.
Several Championship clubs have already been linked with a move, but after what Unai Emery said in his pre-Everton press conference [14 January], it appears that Leeds could be an ideal place for Barry, whom Carlton Palmer once described as “outstanding” (Leeds United News), to take the next step in his career, and the Whites are undoubtedly in the running to complete a deal.
“(Barry) trained with us and we are going to make a plan with him, an overall plan,” he told me.
“I believe he is a really excellent player who is improving well. He has been performing admirably while on loan. Now we can make a fresh plan with him.
“He developed because he scored so many goals on loan. He trained with us only today and yesterday. Of course, we will strive to work out a good plan for the club with him.”
Why Louie Barry is the right addition for Leeds United
Daniel Farke now has three strikers at his disposal: Joseph, Piroe, and Patrick Bamford, after Joe Gelhardt was loaned out to Hull for six months.
Piroe is probably the most dependable of the three, since the German frequently chooses him to lead the attacking line over his colleagues.
However, as evidenced by his form this season, it still feels much too early for Joseph to be the player Leeds rely on to score goals every week, while Bamford appears to be built of glass.
While adding another striker to Farke’s squad would overcrowd the number nine position, it appears to be the smartest decision if the Whites want to assure their promotion.
And, given the form of Ollie Watkins and Cameron Rogers, the teenager will not be able to fit in at Villa Park, therefore a loan move to a second-tier club would be the ideal way to improve his abilities.
If Leeds pursue their interest and arrange a loan until the end of the season, it is the type of transaction that may secure their promotion.
