Aston Villa news: Unai Emery recalls loanee star as several EFL Championship sides take interest
A host of Championship clubs are reportedly interested in signing Stockport County loanee Louie Barry.
Barry rejoined Stockport on loan in August after a successful spell with the club last season, which saw the Hatters seal promotion to League One.
The 21-year-old only played 20 games in the 2023/24 League Two campaign, but he managed to score nine times as Stockport went up as champions.
Villa recalls League One star
This season, Barry has already played more league games and scored more goals, notching an impressive tally of 14 goals as Dave Challinor’s side resides in fifth place in the third tier of English football.
However, to the disappointment of County fans, Aston Villa exercised the recall option in his contract, and the latest reports suggest he will be loaned out to a Championship club to further his development.
A statement on Aston Villa’s website read: “Aston Villa can confirm that Louie Barry will be recalled from his loan spell at Stockport County in January.
“Barry will return to Bodymoor Heath in the new year for a period of assessment with the first-team squad.”
Stockport showed their appreciation towards Barry in a statement on their website.
It said: “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.”
Boro lead the race for Barry
There are a plethora of options available to the English forward, including Championship high flyers Leeds United and Sheffield United.
But the favourites to sign Barry at the moment are Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, according to a report by Football Insider.
Virtually every club has been linked with the former La Masia academy player, with Sunderland and Burnley also showing interest, but Boro have been nailed on as the most likely destination for Barry.
The league’s second-best goal scorers, behind Leeds, Carrick’s side could do with another addition up top if the rumours are correct that Emmanuel Latte Lath could be on his way out.
Premier League side Ipswich Town were heavily interested in Latte Lath’s services in the summer, and they could reignite their interest if Boro managed to secure the loan signing of Barry.
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