The upcoming January transfer window will undoubtedly be viewed as a critical opportunity to impose the necessary adjustments in order to secure the Bluebirds’ ticket back to the Championship come May, as Cardiff City has recently experienced a decline in performance following a scorching and dominant start to the 2025–26 League One campaign under Brian Barry-Murphy.

Naturally, the year is still less than two months away, but clubs will already be planning, and Cardiff, who now have a forward-thinking, strategic mindset thanks to Barry-Murphy, should be no exception.

Enforcements will undoubtedly be required as well. Cardiff’s thrilling run to the EFL Cup quarterfinals may have taken some of the shine off their inconsistent divisional play in previous years, as they have dropped four of their last seven league games.

The thrilling start to the season that was enjoyed in the Welsh capital, where Barry-Murphy’s team topped the standings in the first weeks and went seven games without losing, all the while not giving up a goal from open play, is already somewhat in stark contrast to the Bluebirds’ current position in fourth place, just two points behind league leaders Stockport County with a game in hand over the Hatters for good measure.

Barry-Murphy, Brian, of Cardiff City
Although Barry-Murphy may only be interested in strengthening the backline, defensive weaknesses have recently come to light, and Cardiff needs additions in the final third to push for promotion.

As previously indicated, clubs will already be planning to get ready for the winter window, as Sheffield United is obviously doing. The Bluebirds might be interested in that circumstance.

It surely ought to be if it isn’t.

Louie Barry and Aston Villa’s loan termination in January are targets for Sheffield United.

The Blades, who defeated Cardiff twice in the Championship last season, have had a terrible 2025–2026 season after losing to now-high-flying Sunderland in a heartbreaking, last-minute match at Wembley in May. After a poor start left the South Yorkshire team mired to the bottom of the division, Chris Wilder was fired and replaced by Ruben Selles before being reappointed to succeed the Spaniard.

Despite some encouraging indicators at Bramall Lane, fortunes have not changed much under Wilder, and United is still in the relegation zone after 15 games. However, as the Blades attempt to avoid a return to League One after eight years, Wilder intends to take major action in January. Last week, Football League World exclusively revealed that Wilder intends to end the loan agreements of Ben Godfrey, Tyler Bindon, and Louie Barry during the January window.

Barry Louie for Aston Villa
Naturally, United fans were not overly surprised by this revelation, as the three had already had a terrible experience in the Steel City. Barry’s situation is also quite intriguing; despite playing frequently under Selles, the 22-year-old has only started one game since Wilder’s comeback and has been left off of the squads for the last four matchdays.

At this point in time, a return to parent club Aston Villa is therefore a likely consequence, and there will be plenty of people watching from both the Championship and the higher tiers of League One.

If Sheffield United’s departure is certain, Cardiff City should make a January move for Louie Barry of Aston Villa.

Barry has suffered with the Blades in terms of both form and opportunity, but it shouldn’t be a hindrance to an informed assessment of his skills or what the former Barcelona sensation can provide when playing at his best.

Before earning his colors with Stockport, the Birmingham-born attacker had to wait through a string of mixed loan moves away from the West Midlands after building a stellar reputation at the age group level with West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, and momentarily Barcelona. He returned to Edgeley Park for the Hatters’ push into the third division last season after helping Stockport win promotion from League Two in 2023–2024 with nine goals and four assists from just 20 games during an injury-plagued campaign.

Barry Louie Villa Aston
Barry went above and above by dominating League One with 15 goals in his first 23 games before being called up by Villa, who sent him to Hull City in search of Championship experience. Due to injuries, Barry would seldom play under then-Tigers manager Selles. Barry has been accused of not being good enough for the Championship, where he has undoubtedly yet to establish his value. However, it is debatable how much opportunity he has been given to do so.

Nevertheless, Cardiff should give him serious consideration given his demonstrated skill set in League One, as the promotion-chasing team clearly needs more dynamism, pace, and goal threat from wide areas.

Cardiff’s most formidable and competent wingers are undoubtedly Omari Kellyman and Chris Willock, the latter of whom is presently out, but they are also more inverted wide operators who thrive at coming inside and creating opportunities.

Kellyman, Omari, Cardiff City
However, balance and variation are required, and Cardiff don’t have a winger who can get in behind, stretch defenses, terrorize his opposite number at breakneck pace, or consistently threaten to score goals. At least at League One level, Barry, who can play either from the left or through the middle, delivers just that. His ability to strike the ball and his aptitude for scoring from a variety of distances and angles can create moments of pure X-Factor.

In addition to Willock and Kellyman, Cardiff has Cian Ashford, Isaak Davies, and Ollie Tanner, who will be available once he recovers from an injury layoff that began in August. Despite the fact that Yousef Salech and Callum Robinson have limited his chances to lead the line, Ashford and Davies have both struggled for consistency this season, and the latter may be more comfortable playing as a striker.

The former England youth international would be a sign that would send a message to the rest of League One and possibly earn promotion come May. Tanner has the profile of a quick, direct, and aggressive winger, but his final ball is nothing compared to Barry’s.

For Cardiff, who have a team that can contend for promotion for the length of the season but need a wide attacker with Barry’s profile to provide a new dimension to an attack that has recently lost its spark and energy, Barry would seem like the last piece of the puzzle.

Barry Louie
Naturally, there would be fierce competition to sign him, with several Championship clubs and League One promotion rivals likely interested. Stockport may be interested in bringing him back for a third stint under Dave Challinor. However, Cardiff showed ambition and pulling power during the summer transfer window by landing Chelsea loanee Kellyman, Gabriel Osho, and Nathan Trott, and they have an exciting and forward-thinking project in place with Barry-Murphy at the helm.

It’s unclear what Villa’s position will be if and when Barry’s nightmare deal at Bramall Lane ends, and it’s difficult to rule out the idea that Unai Emery’s team will try to cut costs by approving a permanent departure from Villa Park. However, if what could now be a final loan move is imminent, Cardiff must be fighting for the top spot in the inevitable line for the quick winger’s services.