Sheffield Wednesday are in advanced talks to sign Louie Barry from Aston Villa.A final fee is still to be finalised between the two clubs, but all parties are hopeful of an agreement, which is close.If completed, Barry would be the second Villa player from their academy to move to Wednesday, following defender Sil Swinkels’ move last week.Wednesday, who were relegated to League One — the third division of English football — last season, have also signed England under-17 international Harry Gray on a loan deal from Leeds United.Barry returned to pre-season on June 26, alongside several of Villa’s players who spent last season on loan. This totalled more than two dozen players, with the idea of returning before the senior team, who are back this week, being to align their schedule with Football League (EFL) clubs, most of which were back training at the same time.
After an injury-hit campaign, the forward re-joined Stockport County in January, having had two stints at the League One club previously.The 23-year-old is a high earner at Villa, which has previously made a permanent sale difficult. He has not been in Unai Emery’s plans, yet signed a new contract in early 2025 after an excellent second spell at Stockport County in order to protect his market value.However, since then, he sustained injuries on loan at Hull City and Sheffield United, lowering his potential price.Barry came through West Bromwich Albion’s academy and has also had spells at Barcelona, where he spent a year in the Catalan club’s La Masia academy as a teenager, before stints at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons and Salford City.He made one senior appearance for Villa, scoring on his debut against Liverpool in a 4-1 FA Cup defeat in 2021.Jul 7, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
