Louie Barry has been earmarked for a loan move from Aston Villa - putting half the Championship on red alert.
The 21-year-old striker is recovering back at Villa Park following a knee injury sustained during a previous temporary switch to Hull City. That knock curtailed his campaign - forcing him to return for treatment at his parent club.
But the decision-makers at Aston Villa, including head coach Unai Emery, believe another dose of the second tier is what is needed to bring Barry up to speed in the top flight.
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Louie Barry in action for Hull City
Aston Villa's decision to send Barry out on loan will spark a scramble for his services. The young striker, who left West Bromwich Albion to join Barcelona before Aston Villa stepped in to bring him back to the UK, enjoyed a successful five months at Stockport County last season.
He clobbered 16 goals in 24 appearances for the Hatters, with Wrexham chief Phil Parkinson describing him as 'outstanding' in the process, before he was called back to Birmingham. It was decided that he should move up a division and went to Hull, who had to dig deep for his services.
The Humberside outfit handed over a seven-figure loan fee and coughed up the majority of Barry's £1million-a-year wages. However, he picked up an injury and his temporary spell was cut short.
His availability will have several clubs beating a path to his door. Derby County were interested in taking him to Pride Park - but were unable to raise the cash necessary to compete with Hull. West Brom and Coventry City are two other clubs on the lookout for a forward capable of finding the net.
And interestingly, Barry’s name has been mentioned internally at Birmingham City - although whether the man from a claret and blue family is ready to make a cross-city switch is another question.
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Unai Emery
Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s bosses will be discussing the future of starlet Rory Wilson in the coming days. The 19-year-old hot-shot, who the club prised out of Rangers three years ago following a contentious approach, has just penned a long-term deal.
Wilson agreed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday but has convinced the powers-that-be at Bodymoor Heath that he is worth a longer-term deal.
However, the path to the first-team at Aston Villa is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Barry has increased his experience with several loan moves and now stands within one successful Championship campaign of being involved with Emery’s squad.
With this having worked out for the Sutton Coldfield-based youngster, it now means that Wilson is set to follow suit.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 28/05/2025
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