Sunderland is one of the clubs said to have interested in Louie Barry.

Louie Barry, a reported transfer target for Sunderland, will be recalled from his current loan with Stockport County by parent club Aston Villa in January.

The 21-year-old has been in terrific form for the League One promotion chasers this season, scoring 14 goals and assisting three in 21 matches. In recent weeks, his performances have sparked conjecture over his imminent future, with widespread assumption that Villa will bring his stint with Stockport to an early conclusion before moving him out on loan to a Championship team this winter.

Several teams, including Sunderland, Leeds United, Burnley, and Middlesbrough, are reportedly interested in Barry. Although no real efforts have been made to recruit the attacker, the revelation that he would return to Villa Park after Stockport’s meeting with Birmingham City on New Year’s Day has helped their cause.

County expressed gratitude to Aston Villa for entrusting them with Louie’s development over the past 18 months, as well as to Louie for his great contribution at Edgeley Park, in a statement released on Sunday. With three games remaining until his departure, we are certain that supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves, and wishing him the best of success in his return to Villa Park.”

Barry joined with Stockport at the start of the 2023/24 season, scoring nine goals in 21 appearances and establishing a post-war club record by scoring in seven consecutive league games before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season. Nevertheless, he returned in time to claim the League Two championship with County, and rejoined the club during the summer transfer window for a second spell. Since then, he has won League One Player of the Month twice and the EFL Young Player of the Month accolade in August.

Barry, who began his youth career at West Brom, is a versatile left winger who can play anywhere in the front three. In 2019, he joined with La Liga giants Barcelona. Less than a year later, he returned to England to join Villa, and he has since been loaned out to several EFL clubs. In addition to Stockport, the bright prospect has also played for Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, and Salford City.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk