Louie Barry transfer update as Unai Emery confirms Aston Villa plan amid Celtic interest
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed Louie Barry is available to leave on loan for the second half of the campaign.
The 21-year-old forward has been training at Bodymoor Heath with Emery's first team after returning from his spell at Stockport County. He bagged 15 goals in 23 League One games in the first half of this season, leaving Dave Challinor's side as the division's top scorer.
There is no shortage of interest in Barry from across the Championship and from Celtic, who would like to take him north of the border. But before Barry departs on loan, Villa want to pin him down to fresh terms on a new deal.
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"We are very happy with Barry," Emery explained. "We have one plan with him and that is to extend his contract because we believe in him and then he must continue his process as a player.
"It is to go on loan and continue getting minutes, getting confidence and getting his success playing at another club. How we worked with him last year and with him now is the right way for him."
Kosta Nedeljkovic is also available to leave on loan in the final 10 days of the window as Emery believes the 19-year-old will profit best from regular minutes elsewhere following the signing of Andres Garcia from Levante.
Meanwhile, Emi Buendia could depart before February 3 after finding game time hard to come by. Although he made his first Champions League start in midweek, the 28-year-old is yet to play from the off in a league game this term.
