Sheffield Wednesday transfer blow as Championship rivals ‘push’ for Leeds United & Sunderland target
Sheffield Wednesday are one of the Championship teams who have been connected with the Aston Villa star.
Sheffield Wednesday are unlikely to sign reported target Louie Barry as Championship rivals Derby County ‘push on’ with negotiations.
A number of second-tier teams have shown an interest in Barry, who had a great first half of the season with League One Stockport County.
The attacker scored 16 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions and was recalled early from his season-long loan by parent club Aston Villa.
The Premier League club is poised to send Barry again out on loan, this time offering him a promotion amid mounting Championship interest.
Wednesday are said to be interested in the 21-year-old, although they will face competition from Leeds United, Sunderland, Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United.
However, none of the aforementioned promotion prospects are leading the race, with Derby emerging as unexpected frontrunners for Barry’s signature.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, the newly promoted Rams are ‘near’ to settling on a contract for the talented forward, with their capacity to give regular starts serving as a significant benefit.
Wednesday transfer interest
The Star reported on Barry’s interest in November, when he was scoring at a rapid pace for promotion-chasing Stockport.
However, the Owls were listed as one of a ‘boatload’ of Championship clubs seeking to sign the red-hot attacker when the January transfer window opened, and he was returned to Villa as predicted.
It remains to be seen if Wednesday intend to genuinely compete with Derby and others in the battle for Barry, but he is the kind of player Danny Röhl has mentioned seeking this month.
Earlier this season, the Owls manager suggested that Premier League players were required to make an immediate effect.
“I have spoken before about what we need,” Röhl told The Star regarding his club’s preparations in November.
“It’s not about adding players for the squad; we need to sign impact players, different players. This is what we need to attempt.
“I said in the summer that we needed such a player from Premier League teams to strengthen the squad.
It is not always enough to convince the players; you must consider the whole package. Getting players from Premier League teams will raise our level.”
Barry’s amazing statistics.
Barry first came through West Brom’s junior system before spending a short and interesting period in Barcelona’s La Masia program. He joined Aston Villa in 2020 and has spent most of his young career on loan.
After an unsuccessful time at League One Ipswich Town, he joined League Two Swindon, where he kicked off his professional career with six goals in 14 games.
Barry’s spells at MK Dons and Salford City failed to bring out the best in him, but another drop into League Two saw him assist Stockport win the championship, and they were delighted to welcome him back during the summer.
Another season-long loan was agreed upon, but after scoring 15 goals in 23 third-tier games, the 21-year-old seems poised for a promotion.
It remains to be seen if Barry can reproduce that form in the Championship, but Villa will be anxious to guarantee he can play on a regular basis, an attitude that seems to have given Derby an edge in acquiring him.
If he does transfer to Pride Park, Wednesday will not face their January target, as the Owls have won both games against the Rams.
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