This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Sheffield United have been urged to attempt to sign Stockport County loan starlet Louie Barry in the January transfer window, amid rumours that Aston Villa are set to recall him and send him to a Championship club for the second half of the season.
Villa loanee Barry has been one of the standout players in League One this season, with 13 goals in 17 league outings so far this term to help the Hatters in their promotion push.
The 21-year-old forward joined Stockport from Villa on loan in League Two last summer and bagged nine in 21 fourth-tier games to fire the Hatters into the third tier, so rejoined the club on a temporary deal once again in August.
His impressive form this season has already seen him win both the League One Player of the Month and EFL Young Player of the Month so far, and now his parent club look set to end his time at Edgeley Park prematurely to give him more experience at a higher level.
Sheffield United verdict offered on possible Louie Barry move
Louie Barry
According to Birmingham World, Villa believe that Barry has already outgrown League One, and would be better suited to a loan in the Championship, with second-tier side Middlesbrough understood to be monitoring his availability ahead of the new year.
The Star have also recently reported that Sheffield Wednesday hold an interest in his services, and could join the race to sign the 21-year-old, but the same could likely be said for most Championship teams that are in need of a boost to their forward ranks.
Sheffield United have not yet been concretely linked with Barry in the lead up to January, but FLW's Blades fan pundit, Jimmy, would like to see him make the move to Bramall Lane in the new year, and has questioned his motives for a possible move to rivals Wednesday after we asked him if United should be looking to join the race for his signature.
“I think Louie Barry would be a great option for Sheffield United,” Jimmy told FLW.
“We are in need of someone in his position, and haven’t got an orthodox player in that position currently, so it’s somewhere that I think we will be looking to strengthen in January.
“We should definitely be looking at him as a potential option.
“Middlesbrough would also be a good option for him, to be fair, as they will be pushing for promotion with us, hopefully slightly behind us.
“If he goes to Sheffield Wednesday, where is his ambition?
“Look, they may well avoid relegation this season, but they are going to be nowhere near the top of the league.
“Why would he go for mid-table mediocrity in an aging side, when he could be in a fully-fledged promotion race at the top end of the Championship?
“I’d be very happy with him signing for us.”
Barry would be an ideal loan signing for Sheffield United
Stockport were widely tipped to impress in League One this season, yet have arguably defied many expectations and currently sit fourth in the third tier in the midst of a real push for promotion.
Barry has, of course, been key to their fortunes with his goals and assists and all-around standout play, and playing consistently at a competitive level is definitely the best thing for his development at this stage in his career.
Louie Barry 2024/25 League One statistics (SofaScore)
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Goal conversion
Shots on target per game
Key passes per game
Successful dribbles per game
Fouls drawn per game
The 21-year-old is currently on the right track to realising the high potential that saw him join Barcelona's La Masia academy as a 16-year-old in 2019, and while he is yet to get his chance at Villa, the fact he signed a new contract extension for Unai Emery's side in the summer shows that he is happy to stay out on loan and keep gaining experience before what feels like an inevitable breakthrough into the side at Villa Park at some point in the future.
Previous reports have linked him with a move to other Premier League clubs, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, but that seems too soon in his development, and it would be a real shock if Villa were to let him join a top-flight competitor anytime soon.
He may be well-served staying with the Hatters for now, but the chance to prove himself in the second tier seems like one that both Barry and his parent club will jump at, and they are certainly not set to be short of suitors in the new year.
Sheffield United are in the midst of their own promotion push as it stands, and while the 21-year-old would face tough competition in attacking areas under Chris Wilder, the Blades are certainly one of the most attractive Championship propositions for any young player right now, and they would surely have a decent chance of signing Barry in January if they wish to do so.
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Chris Wilder may want to make some changes in the upcoming window, but the Blades must not overspend.