Stockport County have confirmed that Louie Barry will be recalled by Aston Villa in January, amid links to Middlesbrough and many Championship clubs ahead of the January transfer window.
Barry has enjoyed an excellent loan spell at the League One this season, netting 14 goals in 21 games from his left-sided forward role. Villa are said to be recalling the 21-year-old in order to find him a Championship club for the second half of the season. Boro have been named by many as the frontrunners to land the forward, though many second-tier clubs have registered an interest.
In a statement over the weekend, Stockport confirmed Villa's recall decision, writing: "Stockport County can confirm that forward Louie Barry is set to be recalled from his loan spell by parent club Aston Villa in January. Louie’s final game of his second loan spell at the Club will be our New Year’s Day fixture at home to Birmingham City, before the 21-year-old returns to Villa Park for a period of assessment with Unai Emery’s first-team squad.
"We’d like to place on record our thanks to Aston Villa for trusting us with Louie’s development over the last 18 months, and to Louie for his outstanding contribution during his time at Edgeley Park. With three games still left to play before his departure, we are sure that supporters will join us in giving him the send off he deserves, and wish him the best of luck in his time back at Villa Park."
As far as Boro's interest in Barry is concerned, he is a player they have watched, though whether or not they make any move for Barry next month remains to be seen. Boro's squad is currently full and players will have to leave before any reinforcements can be signed.
Alex Gilbert is likely to be loaned out if an appropriate move can be found, freeing up on space in the squad. However, Barry predominantly operates from the left wing and Boro already have Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg and Micah Hamilton competing for that role. Though Hamilton hasn't yet made much of an impact after his summer move from Man City, loaning him out wouldn't create a new spot in Boro's squad because he qualified as an under-21 player this season and didn't have to be registered therefore.
Discussing Boro's January transfer goals, Michael Carrick has previously said that Boro are open to strengthening the squad if the right opportunities present themselves - saying there are ways and means to create the space in their squad for new additions. However, happy with the depth and quality in his squad, they aren't heading into the transfer window desperate for reinforcements.
One potential other factor is interest in key players that could lead to a player sale or two if offers prove too good to turn down. In particular, Emmanuel Latte Lath is attracting interest having netted his ninth goal of the season on Saturday. His agent has said they 'expect something to happen' when the window opens.