Derby County transfer news latest as Paul Warne given green light to chase 'target'
Aston Villa have confirmed they will recall Louie Barry from his loan spell at Stockport County in January in a move that will leave Derby County ready to pounce when the January transfer window opens.
The forward has been in sensational form in League One this season after scoring 14 goals in 21 appearances. He also made both goals that Stockport scored in their 2-1 win over Peterborough last time out.
The 21-year-old has bagged a total of 23 goals in 41 league matches under Dave Challinor after helping the Hatters to promotion from League Two last term.
READ MORE: Derby County handed Boxing Day boost amid reports of shock West Brom exit
READ MORE: Paul Warne lifts lid on Christmas plans as secret to beating Leeds United and West Brom revealed
Derby are one of a number of Championship clubs who have been monitoring the situation, alongside the likes of Sunderland, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.
Boro took Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey on loan from Villa in January 2023. They then signed Fin Azaz on a permanent deal at the start of this year after Villa recalled him from a loan move at Plymouth Argyle.
A few weeks after Azaz's transfer to Boro, Morgan Rogers left the Riverside for Villa in a deal worth an initial £8m, rising to £15m with add-ons.
Barry signed a new contract with Villa before departing for a second spell to Stockport in August. He joined his boyhood club from Barcelona in January 2020 before embarking on loan moves at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons and Salford City.
Warne has made it clear he wants to add further goals to the team for the second half of the season be it through wingers, midfielders or strikers. News of Derby's interest in Barry has garnered plenty of response on DerbyshireLive and here is what fans have had to say about a potential move.
Garden is Rosey: "Ipswich had six players in their Premier League team, who played for them in Div 1. This shows it is possible to obtain bargains from the lower divisions.
Risleyram: "Lots of lower league players have players have turned into Prem stars. Ollie Watkins playing for Exeter in Div2. Brentford spotted him plays for England now."
Modram: "He has scored goals at League One so could be a useful addition to the squad although unproven at our level. Remember we are building a squad and it's a balance between getting enough points to stay up and gradually improving our own squad. So if Warne thinks we need his goals to stay up he could come if we can get him."
SwaddyRam: "Hope we dont waste time chasing him. Only proven at League One level. Already got one of them better than him."
MKRam: "Our budgets pre & post administration seriously restrict the profile of player we're able to recruit. But Warne has begun balancing the age profile of players recruited (Wilson, Ozoh, Kenzo, Chirewa all U25) And don't forget; the academy was ransacked of the best prospects and first-teamers pre, during, and post-admin."
Derby head coach Warne has held transfer meetings with club bosses, but does not anticipate anything to happen immediately when the market opens on January 1.
"We are at the same process we are always at and everything is being done behind the scenes to strengthen our squad which I am happy with," he said after Friday night's 2-1 defeat at Luton.
"But obviously it needs a bit of strengthening like everyone else in the league will too - we're no different. Hopefully, we will strengthen where we need it but I don't expect anything to happen before January 1.
"I don't believe, currently, that I have something that is all lined up, perfect and everybody is happy with it and then we press fire.
"We are nearly at the halfway point of the season and the last four months are essential to success or failure. We have conversations all the time and we had meetings this week. It's full steam ahead but there is a long way to go."
