Louie Barry exit: Derby close as Aston Villa decide on permanent transfer

Aston Villa are considering selling Louie Barry permanently as Derby County continue to pursue a loan deal for the forward, according to Alan Nixon.

The Sun journalist reported on Patreon (6 January) that Derby are offering Barry first-team football at Championship level following his return to Villa from an impressive spell at Stockport County.

Derby are optimistic that their loan offer will tempt the Lions into approving a deal, despite the hierarchy at Villa Park having considered a sale for Barry after his 15 goals in League One this term.

However, Villa are yet to receive a "significant offer" from any club to sign Barry permanently, and with a move to Derby likely to increase his experience and value, a loan for the 21-year-old could be close.

Louie Barry transfer on the cards at Aston Villa

Although Villa recalling Barry from his spell at high-flying Stockport could have opened the door to a first-team pathway for the versatile forward, it looks increasingly likely that he'll be on the move again.

Capable of plying his trade at a higher level than League One, the Championship appears to be the natural next step for a player who also dominated League Two last term as Stockport won the title.

Derby's interest in the former Barcelona academy starlet is no surprise, but they're far from the only club in England's second tier keen on adding Barry to their squad this month.

While the Rams' chances of promotion to the Premier League look slim this term – they currently sit 18th in the table – interest from teams like Middlesbrough and Sheffield United will be much more enticing [TEAMtalk, 11 December].

Should Barry excel in a promotion-winning side for the second half of this season, that club will have the money for a permanent transfer, and this could prove to be the perfect scenario from Villa's perspective.

In other Aston Villa news, Micah Richards was impressed by what one in-form Lions star did against Leicester on Saturday.

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