Exclusive: Middlesbrough urged to rekindle transfer interest in Aston Villa winger - Ben Doak claim made | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has backed Boro to revisit their transfer interest in Louie Barry.

Middlesbrough were one of a host of Championship clubs reportedly keen on a winter move for Aston Villa forward Louie Barry.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Boro, having been recalled by Aston Villa following a superb spell in League One with Stockport County.

Given Middlesbrough's strong relationship with Aston Villa in regard to the number of young players the Premier League side have entrusted to develop in the hands of the Teessiders in recent times, Michael Carrick's side looked to have a strong chance of winning his signature.

However, it would be Hull City where the former Barcelona academy prospect would end up. However, a knee injury suffered in late February has seen his spell with the Tigers bear little fruit.

"Would be great" - Lee Hendrie urges Middlesbrough to revisit Louie Barry transfer interest

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player, Lee Hendrie: 'Middlesbrough were linked with Louie Barry in January. Should Boro reignite their interest this summer in him when he recovers from injury? Could he be an ideal Ben Doak replacement?'

Hendrie said: "Louie Barry being linked with Boro in January - obviously he ended up going to Hull.

"He picked up an injury having had a brilliant first half of the season at Stockport, that obviously got a lot of interest from football clubs.

"Obviously Ben Doak, he'll go back to Liverpool you would think, and he (Barry) would probably be a really good replacement. I actually think that he would fit in really well with Carrick's - that's if Carrick's still there - plans, and the way that Middlesbrough play and their style.

"As I said, they have got a real appetite for bringing in loan players. Louie Barry, he was linked to Celtic, and it was looking likely that it was going to happen. Obviously he went to Hull and it hasn't quite worked out for him there.

"They've struggled this season, and I think he would fit better in a side that's got lots of potential, lots of good talent, and a real driving force under Carrick. So, I think it would be a really good replacement for Ben Doak if there's nothing done between the football club and himself.

"So, Louie Barry, top-end of the Championship, I think he'll be looking towards that next season, and having a full season on loan. Middlesbrough would be a great one for him."

Middlesbrough invested a lot of money for Morgan Whittaker to be Ben Doak's successor

Signed in January for a reported fee of £5m, with a potential £2.5m in add-ons, the capture of Morgan Whittaker is a major investment on the flanks by Middlesbrough.

So, whilst he hasn't totally hit the ground running on Teesside, the 24-year-old has certainly shown himself to be a quality player at Championship level from his time with Plymouth Argyle.

Whittaker, like Doak, sees his favoured and best position as being on the right wing, whereas Barry is more of a versatile player, who can line up on either flank or through the middle.

As such, Whittaker feels more like the true long-term replacement plan for Doak, but that's not to say that Boro shouldn't or won't explore another deal for Barry in the summer.

With the long-term futures of the likes of Riley McGree and Marcus Forss somewhat uncertain, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho set to return to his parent club at the end of the season having failed to provide much of a short-term replacement for Emmanuel Latte Lath, Middlesbrough will be surely looking for ways to sharpen their cutting edge this summer.

Therefore, Barry may well be on their radar once again, but he likely won't find himself competing with Whittaker on the right should he make a move to Teesside, given how much financial backing has gone into his signing.