Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa youngster Louie Barry.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Stockport County, who are occupying fourth spot in the League One standings following their promotion from the fourth tier earlier in the calendar year.
After his 2023-24 term was impacted severely by injury, Barry has enjoyed a barnstorming opening to the 2024-25 schedule, bagging 11 goals across 16 third-tier appearances.
The young Villan provided the game-winning moment in the first half against promotion rivals Wrexham on Saturday, when the Hatters secured a narrow one-goal victory.
Barry has extensive experience in the EFL courtesy of his loan spells at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons and Salford City, while also earning a single appearance for Villa's first team during the 2020-21 campaign.
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Tottenham, Leicester keen on Stockport star Barry?
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, a pair of Premier League clubs have taken notice of Barry's impressive form with Stockport so far this campaign.
The report claims that both Tottenham and Leicester are chasing the signature of the 21-year-old, who will return to Villa from his loan spell at the end of the term.
It is understood that the Lilywhites view Barry as a youngster who could immediately make an impact in Ange Postecoglou's first team in North London.
However, a deal for the attacker will not be cheap for potential suitors, with Unai Emery's Villans supposedly demanding £12.5m for the player's services.
Barry will be eyeing up at least another goal when Stockport travel to face League One strugglers Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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Should Barry pick Tottenham or Leicester?
Following the signings of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall earlier in 2024, it is clear that Tottenham are targeting young players with the potential to grow into top-flight stars.
Barry certainly falls into that category, however it is hard to imagine the Villa star becoming a regular starter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium immediately.
With consistent game time vital for his development, Barry might be better off securing a switch to Leicester, who are approaching a critical moment in their forward ranks.
Despite scoring four goals in the Premier League so far this season, 37-year-old Jamie Vardy is close to the conclusion of his time in the limelight for the Foxes, who will surely be scouring the market for a striking successor.
Carter White
