Ollie Watkins could leave Aston Villa as Louie Barry transfer news emerges
Aston Villa could allow Louie Barry to continue with Stockport County until the end of the season amid reported transfer interest in the striker.
According to Alan Nixon via The Sun on Sunday [8 December, page 55], Middlesbrough and Derby County are both interested in signing Barry, who has scored 14 goals in 19 League One matches on loan with Stockport County this season.
Villa could sanction a permanent deal which includes a buy-back clause, with another Championship club stepping forward and expressing their interest [via TEAMtalk, 10 December].
However, ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – has suggested Unai Emery’s side would be wise to keep hold of Barry, who could follow a similar path to England legend Harry Kane.
“The only way Villa will get decent money for Barry is by him playing regularly,” King said.
“Whether that be in League One or the Championship. He isn’t going to get a chance at Villa, not with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran at the club, it would be very difficult for him.
“Therefore, let him get his games in, let him continue to score in League One, then see if you want to welcome him back next summer because you never know, Duran or Watkins could move on.
“If that does happen, Villa would at least have somebody ready to step in, somebody who is getting more and more confidence out on loan. There are many a top player who took this kind of path, Kane being the prime example.
“He went out on loan, he played games, scored goals, his confidence went through the roof, he came back to Tottenham and the rest is history. Therefore, I would think that Villa will allow Barry to continue his loan period until the end of the season.”
Aston Villa to keep hold of Louie Barry?
Barry might be required to replace Watkins or Duran, with friction having previously been speculated between the two strikers.
Therefore, letting the 21-year-old leave permanelty might not be such a wise idea. However, recalling him and sending him to a Championship club on loan for the second half of the season could be smart thinking.
By doing that, Unai Emery would be able to get a better understanding of the player.
The Villa boss would be able to see if Barry can continue his impressive form in a more demanding league, and therefore whether he might be ready to make the step up to the Premier League next season.
In other Aston Villa news, Stan Collymore has urged one player at the club to bang on Emery’s door with certain demands.
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