Exclusive: Middlesbrough eye Louie Barry as Aston Villa make Stockport County recall decision

Villa, impressed by Barry’s remarkable form this season, believe the attacker has already outgrown League One and would be better suited to a loan in the Championship.

Barry has scored 13 goals in 17 League One appearances since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, kicking on from his nine goals in 20 games in League Two last term. This is the 21-year-old’s second season at Stockport after he helped the Hatters to the fourth-tier title in 2023/24.

Interest in Barry has already emerged from the Championship, with Middlesbrough understood to be monitoring the winger in case of a recall. The Villans cannot terminate Barry’s loan until the January transfer window - and the decision isn’t yet final - but the current plan is to see how he does in the English second tier instead.

It’s also understood Villa will offer Barry yet another contract extension despite already renewing terms in August and the previous summer. Although there are no plans for regular first-team football at Villa Park just yet, it’s hoped Barry can continue his progression and one day make a proper breakthrough.

Once a member of Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, Barry has always had the potential to unlock - it’s just taken him a little longer than expected to find his feet. The ex-West Bromwich Albion youngster has steadily progressed in recent years, owing to loans at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, Salford City and now Stockport.

Predominantly a left winger but also capable of playing at centre-forward or off the right, Barry has been a brilliant loan servant for Stockport. They say to never fall in love with a loan player but it’s been incredibly difficult for the Edgeley Park faithful not to. Hatters fans will be disappointed to see Barry depart if Villa commit to their plan.