Hull City are closing in on the signing of Louie Barry from Aston Villa after agreeing a deal in principle with the Premier League club to complete a permanent transfer. Tigers owner Acun Ilicali has been locked in talks with Villa counterpart Nassef Sawiris over the weekend in a bid to broker a deal that would see the 22-year-old from Sutton Coldfield return to the MKM Stadium.
Barry spent the second half of last season on loan at City but was hit by a serious knee injury in just his fourth game, which the Tigers went on to win 1-0 at Sunderland. City are now preparing to discuss personal terms with Barry over what would be viewed as an exciting signing for a player who lit up League One earlier this season, before injury struck at the Stadium of Light, meaning he couldn’t prove himself in the Championship.
It now looks like he will get that chance, providing Ilicali and City can work on a package that suits all parties. “We are almost somewhere I can say, but you can never say transfers are done before they are finished,” said Ilicali.
“We saw it with our club, too. The Louie Barry deal can only be done and finished if it’s in the best interest of the club. I like Louie Barry; he likes us. We had a good conversation with him three days ago. I’m personally involved in this transfer because of my relationship with Monchi (head of football operations at Villa) and Mr Sawiris (Villa owner).
“At the end of the day, Aston Villa’s and our benefits have to match somewhere to make both clubs happy. Transfers shouldn’t be like ‘I’m going to get this boy whatever (is the cost)’. First, you have to make everything benefit the club. Of course, Aston Villa have to be happy so that they can give us their player.
“We are somewhere, but I wouldn’t say it’s done until the last minute because I have experience in England, in Turkey, I don’t have the experience, but even the medical check is dangerous.
“From now on, we’re going to make medical checks in secret places without any information, because you think that the transfer is done, then you see the same boy wearing a different shirt two weeks later. Let’s be patient. Louie Barry is one of the first targets.”
Ilicali says conversations with sporting director Jared Dublin are plentiful, with discussions also ongoing with Oli McBurnie over his move to the MKM Stadium, while the club are offering Jonjo Shelvey the chance to train with the club in the early weeks of pre-season.
“Jared (Dublin) is involved in everything. We are talking every day six or seven times for this year, last year it was one or two times, this year it’s six or seven,” added the City owner.
“I believe in Jared, Mustapha (Yokes) and Hodgey (Martin Hodge) one hundred per cent. I want our fans to know that I’m completely involved in everything. Decision making about recruitment will come from our team and will be approved by the coach. Then, I will enter and try to finish the finance.
“We are playing chess with the spending limits in this league. In this league, you have to be good at chess. You have to calculate one year, two years, and parachute money.
“We are counting £50,000, £60,000, is it too much? Can we do it this year? So many calculations. The Championship has improved my maths. I’m getting better every year, and it’s improved my intelligence.”
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