Louie Barry and 2 others should be in Stockport County's thinking as potential Tanto Olaofe replacements | OneFootball

The Hatters may be wise to prepare for the eventuality that they have to wave goodbye to fan favourite Tanto Olaofe

It’s of little surprise that Stockport County forward Tanto Olaofe is attracting interest this summer.

He registered 22 goal involvements in League Two in 2023/24, and managed to record 11 in League One despite not always being a nailed-on starter.

Journalist Sam Byrne, responding to rumours about Charlton Athletic eyeing the striker, revealed he’d heard talk of interest in the striker this summer, but stopped short of confirming if it was the Addicks in the frame.

It may not be the last we hear of interest in Olaofe, so Football League World have compiled a list of three frontline alternatives County should consider if he does depart.

Louie Barry

Anyone associated with the Hatters needs no introduction to Louie Barry, who made such an impact at Edgeley Park over his two loan spells that some have even tired of hearing his name connected to the club.

Barry was one of the players who kept Olaofe out of the side at the beginning of the season, and, having netted 15 goals in 23 League One outings, it’s easy to see why.

Given the 22-year-old was withdrawn to test himself in the Championship with Hull City, it would appear most likely that that’s the division the Aston Villa man will return to.

However, Football Insider revealed that the Villans are open to selling Barry in a quick deal to satisfy Profit and Sustainability Rules, so may be hesitant to sanction a loan.

Championship clubs may be hesitant to drop the sort of money required to satisfy Villa, given he’s still not proven at the level, whereas the Hatters need no convincing. Owner Mark Stott openly admitted last summer that he wanted Barry on a permanent deal.

That was before his exploits in League One for the Hatters, so his value will be somewhat higher and maybe beyond what County can spend, but if they can leverage Villa’s position, tug on Barry’s heartstrings and maybe cash in on Olaofe, then who knows?

Stranger things have happened.

Nathan Lowe

Barry makes sense because he’s similar to Olaofe in the positions he takes up on the pitch, he’s quick and, while he doesn’t have the strength of Olaofe, he makes up for it in dribbling ability.

Lowe is a slightly different profile, a more traditional No.9, but if it’s Olaofe’s goal threat you want to replace, the Stoke City youngster is certainly capable of that.

He scored 15 goals in 22 League Two outings at Walsall last season, before being recalled and struggling to make the same impact in the Championship for his parent side.

But it’s important to remember that Lowe is still 19 years old, so the numbers he racked up at Walsall are worthy of note.

It therefore makes sense that County have been linked with a loan move for the striker, to see whether a spell in League One would be the better next step for his development.

The club have proved with Barry that they can facilitate the jump up from the fourth to the third tier for forwards, and Lowe could be their next project.

He has the potential to make up for any output lost by Olaofe and, with reports suggesting Lowe could be available for £2.5m, a sale of the current County star may even allow the Hatters to explore a permanent deal for Lowe.

Isaak Davies

Much like Olaofe, Isaak Davies is a quick forward who has been utilised through the middle and out wide during his young career.

Injury ruled Davies out of much of last season, but he did still manage to pick up two goals in nine Championship outings.

Nevertheless, even when fit, he was only afforded three starts, despite having impressed on loan the season prior with Belgian side KV Kortrijk.

Cardiff’s relegation, as with any demoted side, will no doubt put them in a difficult financial spot, having already recorded £11m losses before the drop into League One.

As one of their most promising talents, Cardiff will be reluctant to sell the 23-year-old, who may field Championship interest, but the Hatters could leverage the difficult spot the Bluebirds find themselves in.

Speaking to WalesOnline last year, Davies revealed the importance to him of getting a run of games as a striker. Given he’s spent his few appearances for Cardiff this summer out wide, there may be a better development plan Dave Challinor could sell to Davies at Edgeley Park, especially if an Olaofe-sized gap were to open up in the squad.