Louie Barry handed fresh Aston Villa escape route as Jobe Bellingham transfer decision made
Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry finds himself front and centre on the rumour mill this month.
However, after returning to the Premier League side from his 18-month loan spell at Stockport County this month, will the 21-year-old complete a permanent departure? Speculation around his future remains at fever pitch - with a host of Championship clubs including Leeds United, Sunderland and Derby County among those linked.
But another club has, reportedly, entered the race for his signature. Here, we take a look at the latest rumours that are doing the rounds in the EFL Championship and beyond;
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Louie Barry has fresh Villa transfer option
Reports from South London Press reckon Millwall are plotting a mid-season swoop for Barry.
The in-form and in-demand Villa forward, 21, returned to the Premier League outfit this month after shining during the 18-month loan spell he had with Stockport County. Barry helped Stockport to promotion from League Two last season, while he totted-up 15 goals in 23 games so far this season in League One, leading to such interest from the Championship - with Millwall seemingly emerging as a potential suitor.
Three clubs to battle for Jobe Bellingham transfer
Jobe Bellingham is being tracked by three Premier League clubs - according to reports - but Sunderland are eager to keep him in the north east until next summer. Either way, their 19-year-old ex-Birmingham City midfielder is now valued at around £20million.
Crystal Palace, Tottenham and West Ham are namedropped as the three sides on red alert. The Sun tip Sunderland to revaluate the situation this summer when their Premier League fate is determined one way or another.
Liverpool set Ben Doak asking price
Highly-rated Liverpool starlet Ben Doak is subject to interest from three Premier League clubs, too, as parent club Liverpool hold out for a proposed £30million deal. That demanded figure includes add-ons.
Several outlets flag him up as a potential target for Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham. Doak is said to be willing to cut short his stay with Middlesbrough in order to get something more concrete in place away from Anfield with two goals and six assists to show for his efforts from 21 games in the Championship this season.
Millwall starlet on Crystal Palace radar
Palace have, reportedly, made contact with Millwall about signing their highly-rated youngster Romain Esse.
Esse, 19, is underlined as a mid-season option for the Eagles by The Evening Standard. No ball-park transfer figure is revealed for the player, but the article indicates that Palace sporting director - and former striker Dougie Freedman - has been to watch the teenage forward play on multiple occasions this season.