Sunderland wanted to sign Louie Barry before third-tier rivals Ipswich Town agreed a season-long loan deal with Aston Villa for the Premier League starlet, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.
While positivity has been in short supply during a painful couple of years at Portman Road, there’s an overflow of optimism in East Anglia ahead of Saturday’s League One opener against Accrington Stanley.
Conor Chaplin, Scott Fraser, Rekeem Harper, George Edmondson, Macauley Bonne, Wes Burns, Vaclav Hladky and Joe Pigott – scorer of 22 goals for relegation-threatened AFC Wimbledon last term – all look outstanding signings at this level.
Barry, though, may just be the best of the lot.
Just look at the way the England U18 international – and former Barcelona youngster – took his chance during January’s FA Cup clash with a full-strength Liverpool side.
Literally and metaphorically.
Baring down on goal, Barry opened his body and slotted the most flawless of finishes into the far corner. It was the calling card of a potentially elite-level centre-forward, one Aston Villa paid £3 million for when he was just 16 years of age.
Jurgen Klopp, after the game, even referred to Barry as a “little Jamie Vardy”.
“I love the finish,” added Liverpool legend Michael Owen. “(Barry) opens his foot up and it’s a perfect finish.”
Sunderland miss out on Ipswich-bound Barry
According to the Birmingham Mail, Villa believe a loan spell away from Bodymoor Heath is the next natural step in the teenager’s development.
Sunderland were keen but it’s understood that, after talks with Tractor Boys boss Paul Cook, Ipswich Town will be his destination instead.
And this isn’t the first time Ipswich have beaten the Black Cats to an eye-catching signing this summer.
Lee Johnson’s side have been linked with another teenage forward in the shape of Sheffield United’s Daniel Jebbison, although things appear to have gone cold on that front.
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