Sheffield Wednesday join Middlesbrough in transfer race as Stockport County offered fresh hope | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday's January plans are becoming clearer ahead of the new year

Sheffield Wednesday are keeping tabs on Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry ahead of the January transfer window while Stockport County have been offered fresh hope of keeping him.

According to The Star, the Owls are potentially set to join the race to sign the 21-year-old.

Danny Rohl is keen to bring in signings in the new year, with his sights particularly set on exciting young talent from the Premier League.

Barry is currently on loan at League One side Stockport County but could be recalled in the January market in order to go back out on loan to a Championship side.

The forward has contributed 13 goals and one assist from 17 appearances in the third tier this campaign, earning plenty of plaudits for his performances.

Sheffield Wednesday join Louie Barry transfer race

Sheffield Wednesday are among a 'boatload' of clubs now eyeing a possible loan move for Barry in the new year.

It is believed that a number of sides in the second tier are keeping tabs on his performances in League One ahead of a possible move.

It has been reported by The Northern Echo that Middlesbrough are one of those sides, with Michael Carrick’s team also eyeing potential January moves.

But it is also expected that other unnamed sides will also be in the market to sign Barry if he becomes available.

Birmingham World have reported that Villa are set to recall the in-form attacker in January but, according to The Star, that decision is not yet final - in a boost for County.

The youngster has yet to break into the Aston Villa first-team squad, but a move to the Championship could be on the cards after impressing in League One.

He has been a star figure in the third tier, and leads the way at the top of the goalscoring charts, with three more than Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku.

His potential departure in January would be a huge blow to Stockport given their strong start to the season, with the team currently fourth in the League One table.

Danny Rohl’s January transfer stance

Speaking earlier this month, Rohl opened up on his January transfer hopes for Sheffield Wednesday.

He is hoping to bring in players that can make an immediate impact on the starting XI, rather than looking to deepen his reserves for the second half of the campaign, which means a loan deal could be their priority.

“I have spoken before about what we need,” said Rohl, via The Star.

“It is not about signing players for the squad, we must sign impact players, different players.

“This is what we have to try.

“I said this in the summer that we need such a player from the Premier League clubs to improve the squad. It’s not always just about convincing the players, you need the full package to look at.

“To get players from the Premier League clubs would increase our level.”

Louie Barry is ready for Championship action

Barry has done excellently in League One this season and has shown a readiness to compete in the Championship already.

He is an exciting young talent, in particular his Barcelona pedigree, having been with the Spanish giants prior to moving to Aston Villa, and eye-catching record at youth level.

There will be a number of clubs lining up to sign him in January, so it will be difficult for Sheffield Wednesday to stand out.