Louie Barry. Stevenage FC 2-1 Stockport County FC. Sky Bet League One. The Lamex Stadium. 14.12.24
Louie Barry
Aston Villa 's Louie Barry has reportedly become a target for two new Championship clubs as the 21-year-old looks set for a new loan move in January.
The former Barcelona youth player is currently in his second stint with Stockport County, after helping them to League Two promotion last season, and has been tearing up League One so far this campaign.
With 14 goals and one assist to his name in just 20 league games, Barry has attracted attention from higher up in the EFL as Villa are set to recall him in January, sending him back out on loan to the Championship to help accelerate his development and test him at a higher level.
Middlesbrough, Leeds, Derby County, and most recently Burnley and Sunderland, have all been linked to the English forward who is highly-rated by his parent club. The Villans are known to use the second tier as a place to develop their talent, with the likes of Jaden Philogene and the now-departed Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer all having had successful stints in the Championship.
Michael Carrick's Boro have taken both Ramsey and Archer on fruitful loan spells and could be a great fit for Barry with the club already having a track record with Villa youth. Carrick's men currently sixth in the league and are facing a play-off push this season which could give Barry plenty of chances to spread his wings in the second half of the season.
Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are all in amongst the promotion charge alongside Boro. A top end team would certainly aid Barry's opportunities, however he will need to go somewhere that guarantees minutes.
With plenty of attacking reinforcements already, Leeds and Burnley may not be able to do that, with the youngster from Sutton Coldfield potentially more likely to play at Boro or the Black Cats.
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