Former Barcelona youngster Barry has turned heads with a stunning run of form on loan at Stockport, where he's scored 14 goals in 18 League One appearances so far this season to lead the EFL goal charts. That follows an impressive spell with Dave Challinor's side last term, when he scored nine goals before the end of October only for his season to be halted by injury.
Barry's form in the third tier this season has led to suggestions Villa could look to recall the versatile forward in January and move him up a level, with several Championship clubs said to be interested. [Boro](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough) are one of those to be linked.
It's understood Boro have watched Barry a few times this season but that's normal protocol for the Riverside club's recruitment team, who regularly keep tabs on Premier League youngsters and League One's best performers. Barry ticks both boxes.
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But that's just Boro's scouting team doing their job and doesn't necessarily mean they'll be pursuing a move for the youngster. Indeed, Boro aren't yet at a stage where they're planning to make a move for Barry. Boro have a list of potential targets and will assess their options in the coming weeks, but January is a notoriously difficult window and the club's coaching and recruitment team are relaxed.
And there are a number of factors to consider and potential transfer obstacles that would need to be overcome.
First of all, Boro's squad is currently at maximum capacity so players would have to be moved out in January before any signings are made. Any loan signings - regardless of their age - need to be registered.
Barry, who classes as an Under-21, wouldn't have to be registered if he was a permanent signing, but fresh reports this week claimed Villa are ready to hand the forward a new contract, despite the fact he only signed a deal in August before rejoining Stockport. If Villa were to cash in, one previous overseas report claimed they'd be looking for £12m-plus.
Boro have compiled a list of potential January targets and would be willing to trade if they felt there was the opportunity to further strengthen their squad.
But they are currently pretty well stocked in the positions Barry plays. The youngster plays left wing, where Boro have Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg and Micah Hamilton, or up-front, where Emmanuel Latte Lath and Tommy Conway are jostling for position.
Boro will keep tabs on Barry, as they do with all players who they are scouting and monitoring, and will keep abreast of Aston Villa's plans for the youngster. Boro and Villa have recent experience of transfer dealings, with Finn Azaz swapping Villa Park for the Riverside in January and Morgan Rogers going the other way later in the month.
After impressing in the West Brom academy, in 2019 Barry made the stunning move to Barcelona, who beat PSG to the capture of the forward when he was just 16.
He returned to England to join Villa the following year and had loan moves at Ipswich, Swindon, MK Dons and Salford before linking up with Stockport.