Derby County are reported to be close to sealing a huge transfer coup for one of the hottest properties playing in the EFL.

Rams boss Paul Warne made it clear in the run-up to the opening of the January transfer window that a striker was on his hitlist of targets - and it appears that his wish may be about to become true.

According to transfer expert Alan Nixon, the Rams are poised to head off significant competition from the likes of Leeds United, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland to seal a loan deal for Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry.

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The 21-year-old helped fire Stockport County into League One last season, and has carried on the good work on loan this term, banging home 16 goals and three assists in 24 games before being recalled by Villa.

The Premier League team are keen to see what the youngster can do at a higher level over the second half of the season - and it seems Derby is now his likely destination.

And the reason? Barry is likely to go straight into the Derby team while at the likes of Leeds he would have to take his chances alongside their established stars - not something Villa are keen to see.

Derby now have a break from league action with the FA Cup and a trip to League One Leyton Orient up next on Saturday (6pm kick-off).

Asked after Saturday’s defeat at Bristol City whether any new recruits could be in place before the trip to Brisbane Road, Warne said: "I probably go on the side of not wanting to get people's hopes up. If I say, ‘Oh yeah, we're definitely gonna have a new face in’ and then we don't, I look like a liar.

"It's probably less likely than more likely, and if they do come in then I'm not a genius, the club is. They are doing everything they can.”

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