Leeds in pole position signed a contract with the Aston Villa star who scored 15 goals

Leeds United could have the upper hand in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Louie Barry on loan in January, according to reports.

Barry enjoyed a stunning first half of the season on loan with Premier League side Stockport County, scoring 15 goals and providing three assists in 22 appearances in all competitions.

Leeds United are hoping to beat Chelsea to sign the highly-rated midfielder in January!

It comes after he scored nine goals and provided four assists in 20 League Two appearances to help the Hatters win the title and earn promotion last season.

However, Barry will play just two more games for Stockport — who are fifth in League One — before being recalled by Aston Villa in early January.

Villa will then assess Barry before deciding on his next steps, but the player himself believes he has ‘deserved’ the chance to compete with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran in Unai Emery’s squad.

“Now the main goal is to get back to Villa and I think I’ve earned it now,” he said. “It’s about showing them what I can do when I come back and hopefully break through. That’s the number one goal.”

Louie Barry: Leeds get boost in pursuit of Villa youngster

Recent reports (via Leeds United News) have linked a number of Championship clubs with Barry’s loan move in January.

Sheffield United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Leeds are among those rumored to be interested.

However, Boro’s interest is not thought to be that concrete, potentially giving Leeds an edge in the race to sign Barry — especially as Sheffield United have Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell at their disposal and Sunderland’s form has been inconsistent of late.

Barry’s final two games with Stockport will come at Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United on Boxing Day and December 29 respectively.