Sunderland are in the hunt for forward players to boost their promotion hopes and have identified Aston Villa's Louie Barry as a potential target.
The winger is enjoying the best season of his budding career with Stockport County, who he is on loan with. Barry is one of the leading scorers in the division and his match-winning performances are turning Championship heads.
According to Birmingham World, Villa are ready to recall the player in order to sanction a loan to a Championship side, in order to take Barry's development to the next level.
The 24-year-old is not short of suitors, with a host of clubs after his signature. According to Darren Witcoop, Middlesbrough are the front-runners to sign the talented winger, but Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley are all set to challenge them.
Although Boro are favourites to land the winger, Sunderland hold an ace, which could convince Villa to send their prospect to Wearside.
Louie Barry's 2024/25 League One statistics with Stockport County - per SofaScore
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Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg destined for greatness
Chris Rigg for Sunderland
Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg are enjoying landmark seasons in their promising careers at Sunderland. Despite being teenagers, they have become staples of the Black Cats' side due to their outstanding performances.
Rigg came through the club's academy and featured as a squad player last season, but since being handed his opportunity, he has taken his game to another level.
As for Bellingham, he arrived at the tender age of 17 from Birmingham City for what must be viewed as an absolute steal. What lured him to the Stadium of Light was the promise of regular first-team football, which Sunderland have delivered.
Regis Le Bris must be given credit for the rapid improvement in both players' games this season, as they are showing the world why they are dubbed as some of the best upcoming talents in English football.
With eye-catching performances comes interest and the duo have been the subject of a constant stream of links since the summer. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United are a handful of clubs linked with the pair, which goes to show Sunderland must be doing something right.
Louie Barry and Aston Villa should take note of Bellingham, Rigg links
louie barry
The next move in Barry's career is a crucial one, and it is one he must get spot on if he wants to reach the same heights as Rigg and Bellingham. Of course, Villa may also have a sway over where the winger plays his football, if they want him to progress.
Understandably, a move to Teeside is an appealing one, with Michael Carrick's side pumping goals for fun at the moment. However, his opportunities might be limited given the quality of their attack.
What should be defining factors in his next move are regular first team football and development to the next level. At 21, he is one for the future, and would fit into Sunderland's project of developing young players.
Bellingham and Rigg are prime examples of why a move to Wearside would be beneficial for Barry. The duo have been allowed to express themselves in a challenging division and have flourished as a result of the faith imparted to them.
On top of that, they have now been presented with a pathway for the next steps of their aspiring careers, with the envious position of being able to choose their next moves.
Sunderland are the perfect club for any young player and will allow their talents to play, develop and move on to bigger things when the time is right. This is what sets the Wearsiders apart from their rivals.
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Teams interested in Rigg look set to face a tough battle in their potential quest to sign him during the January window.
With January on the horizon, news regarding Barry's future is set to gather pace in what promises to be one of the battles of the transfer window.
There is no doubting that the winger has proven himself in League One and a move to the second tier is just what he deserves, but his next move is a vital one in his development.
Not only are Sunderland one of the biggest clubs in the Championship, but they can offer Barry a route in English football that their rivals cannot guarantee.