Carlton Palmer believes Louie Barry would be better suited joining Sunderland than Leeds United during the January transfer window.
Daniel Farke’s side is one of the clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old after Aston Villa returned him from his Stockport County loan.
It is known that the Premier League team intends to send him to a Championship club for the remainder of the season, but Elland Road may not be his destination.
Palmer told Football League World on January 3: “I believe Barry wants to go somewhere where he can play. In the Championship, Leeds, Sunderland, and Boro are all at the top of the table.
“Leeds are at the top of the tree, and Sunderland is well-known for signing talented young players and selling them for a lot of money.
“If I were Louie Barry, I would be looking at where I can get first-team football, where I fancy my chances to play regularly at a club that will give young players a chance, and that’s Sunderland at this moment in time.”
Was Louie Barry correct in avoiding a trade to Leeds United in January?
Obviously, many at Elland Road will strongly disagree, preferring an exciting new forward to join the club, but Palmer has a valid argument.
Barry is undoubtedly a quality player, with 15 goals and two assists in 23 games and lighting up League One with Stockport, but the Championship represents a significant step up.
Farke still has Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and Patrick Bamford at his disposal, as well as Joe Gelhardt, if he can secure a move away from Elland Road, and wide players who can play through the center.
Piroe now has nine goals, Dan James has five, Brenden Aaronson has seven, and Wilfried Gnonto has four, so there appears to be no problem at Elland Road.
But, with so many teams vying for Barry’s services, the Whites would be foolish not to make an offer this month, regardless of whether Palmer believes a transfer to the Stadium of Light would benefit him more.
