Stockport's star loanee's form has left Championship clubs circling

It was announced at the beginning of this week that Louie Barry will return to his parent club Aston Villa, after spending the first half of the season on loan in the third tier at Stockport County.

The Club can confirm that Louie Barry is set to be recalled from his loan spell by parent club, Aston Villa this January.

Louie's final game of his second spell at Edgeley Park will be our New Year's Day fixture against Birmingham City.

👉 https://t.co/BBdTLZVJNL… pic.twitter.com/kChtac3P8N
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) December 22, 2024

There are now several Championship clubs after the young star’s signature, with it rumoured that Villa will look to test Barry in the second tier for the first time. Hull City are one of the lead clubs interested, with their recent history of taking in high-profile youngsters on loan such as Gustavo Puerta, Fabio Carvalho and Finley Burns.

Barry has had an incredible season so far scoring 15 goals and assisting two in 23 League One games. He is the league’s top scorer and a key reason behind Stockport’s Championship promotion push despite only coming up from the fourth tier this year. He also has a goal in the EFL Trophy, meaning he looked well on track for a 25+ goal season, all whilst predominantly playing on the left wing. He has started 21 of Stockport’s 22 league games and has picked up two League One Player of the Month awards out of a possible four so far.

Louie Barry - League One 24/25:

☑️23 games
☑️15 goals
☑️2 assists
☑️1 penalty won
☑️G/A every 106 minutes
☑️1.2 key passes per 90
☑️5 big chances created
☑️2.7 successful dribbles per 90

A superb season for the 21-year-old Aston Villa loanee. Such an interesting inside forward! pic.twitter.com/kiyBC023zz
— Football Talent Scout - Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) December 29, 2024

Previously known either for his goal in the FA Cup against Liverpool back in 2021 or for being the first Englishman to sign for Barcelona’s La Masia academy. Barry spent most of his youth career at West Bromwich Albion. Since joining Aston Villa’s academy in 2020 after a year in Spain, he has had EFL loan moves to Ipswich, Swindon, MK Dons, Salford, and Stockport. Some loan spells were more successful than others, but none compared to his time in Greater Manchester.

Oh my goodness, Aston Villa have scored a brilliant goal to equalise against Liverpool! 😱

Louie Barry has put his name up in lights and he can't quite believe it!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/WrKE2yG0ZR
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 8, 2021

After 18 months on loan at Stockport in League Two and One, Villa have decided it is time to take another step in Barry’s career path. The official announcement declared that the Premier League club would trial the 21-year-old in a ‘period of assessment with the first-team squad’. Many however believe that Villa are recalling the player to give Barry the chance to grow in the Championship, a level he has not played at before. Clearly a cut above the third tier, it is not just Hull City interested with Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United all circling.

Regardless of where Barry decides to end up, it is safe to say the Championship should be warned of his arrival and the chaos he might cause in front of goal.