'Agreed' - QPR, Leeds United & Middlesbrough 'target' schedules medical at rivals after Celtic bid 'rejected'

It has been a relatively-quiet January transfer window for Queens Park Rangers as the final week of trading approaches. The Loftus Road outfit have secured one signing with the arrival of Ronnie Edwards on loan from Premier League strugglers Southampton.

The R’s have been in the market for other players, with reports earlier in the month claiming a bid had been made for striker Thomas Waddingham who has since joining Portsmouth from A-League side Brisbane Roar.

Now they appear set to miss out on another target with forward Louie Barry reportedly agreeing a deal to join Hull City on loan. That is according to Hull Live, who report the Tigers have won the race for the in-demand forward with a medical scheduled for later in the week.

Barry wanted by a host of Championship clubs

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at League One side Stockport County and after scoring 15 goals for the club, he was recalled by Aston Villa who wanted him to continue his development in the Championship. TeamTALK named QPR as one of the interested parties, alongside the like of Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Stoke City. Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall have also been credited with an interest with some reports claiming more than half of the teams in the Championship were eyeing a move for the Villa man.

Hull finished seventh in the Championship last term before sacking manager Liam Rosenior. Tim Walter replaced him but was sacked with the Yorkshire club close to the relegation zone. They are just two points above the bottom three after a shock win over Sheffield United on Friday. They beat the Blades 3-0 at Bramall Lane just a few days after losing 2-1 to QPR. The previous weekend they clinched a 1-0 win at Millwall with fortunes starting to turn under Ruben Selles. Hull have also secured a loan move for Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, who scored in the 2-1 defeat against QPR.

Villa want loan move after rejecting Celtic bid

Villa manager Unai Emery recently outlined the club’s stance on Barry during this window, as he emphasised a desire to extend the player’s contract. e, Celtic offered a deal worth £10m with £5m up-front and £5m in add-ons but that was rejected with the midlands outfit not willing to sell the player this month. French side RC Lens have also been linked, with a £6m offer made but that was also knocked back.

Speaking on Friday, Emery said: “We are very happy with Barry. 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. How we are working with him now and last year is the right way for him."