Aston Villa’s Louie Barry’s January transfer decision has been revealed, with Middlesbrough reportedly showing interest. Louie Barry.
Stockport County have announced that Aston Villa will recall Louie Barry in January, amid interest from Middlesbrough and other Championship teams ahead of the January transfer window.
Barry has had a fantastic loan spell in League One this season, scoring 14 goals in 21 games from his left-sided forward position. Villa are thought to be recalling the 21-year-old in order to place him with a Championship team for the second half of the season. Boro are widely seen as the frontrunners to sign the forward, but many second-tier clubs have expressed an interest.
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 stay with the club will be on New Year’s Day at home against Birmingham City, before returning to Villa Park for a time of assessment with Unai Emery’s first team group.
“We’d want to express our gratitude to Aston Villa for entrusting us with Louie’s development over the last 18 months, as well as Louie for his great contribution while at Edgeley Park. With three games remaining until his departure, we are confident that supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves, and wishing him the best of luck in his return to Villa Park.”
Boro have observed Barry, but whether they make a bid for him next month remains to be seen. Boro’s team is currently full, and players will have to leave before new additions can be signed.
Alex Gilbert is likely to be loaned away if a suitable deal can be made, freeing up squad space. However, Barry mostly plays on the left wing, and Boro already has Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg, and Micah Hamilton vying for that position. Though Hamilton hasn’t made much of an impact since his summer signing from Manchester City, loaning him away would not open up a new position in Boro’s squad because he qualified as an under-21 player this season and thus did not need to be registered.
Regarding Boro’s January transfer goals, Michael Carrick has previously stated that Boro are open to improving the squad if the appropriate opportunities arise, claiming that there are ways and means to make room in their squad for new arrivals. However, because he is satisfied with the depth and quality of his squad, they will not be looking for reinforcements during the transfer season.
Another potential element is interest in important players, which could result in a player sale or two if bids are too good to pass up. Emmanuel Latte Lath, in particular, has piqued fans’ interest after scoring his tenth goal of the season on Saturday. When the window opens, his agent says they ‘expect something to happen’.
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