TIGERS CLOSE IN ON BARRY

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.

- By BARRY COOPER

Tigers owner Acun Ilicali has been locked in talks with Villa counterpart Nassef Sawiris in a bid to broker a deal that would see the 22-year-old return to the MKM.

Barry spent the second half of last season on loan at City but was hit by a knee injury in his fourth game.

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 last 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.