Local rivals Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion are reportedly considering a move for former Aston Villa player Louie Barry, according to Bryan King, a former scout for Villa. Currently, Aston Villa holds a strong position in the West Midlands football scene, while both Birmingham and West Brom aim to return to the Premier League after recent struggles in the Championship.
Birmingham City is positioned higher in the Championship standings, yet they have faced inconsistency this season. Despite a heavy recruitment drive at St. Andrew’s following their successful campaign in League One, where they finished as champions, the team has been unable to maintain momentum. Chris Davies, their manager, has brought in several players, including Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, and Ibrahim Osman, while parting ways with key players like Eiran Cashin and Lyndon Dykes.
West Brom, on the other hand, is undergoing a managerial transition. New head coach Eric Ramsay has taken the reins at The Hawthorns, succeeding Ryan Mason. Ramsay’s immediate focus will be on improving the team’s performance rather than initiating a major overhaul of the squad.
Barry, a 22-year-old forward, has had a challenging year, struggling to make an impact during loan spells at Hull City and Sheffield United. His time at Hull was cut short due to injury, and after making only nine appearances for Sheffield United, his loan was terminated on January 3, 2023. Despite these setbacks, King believes Barry could still find opportunities in the Championship, particularly with Birmingham or West Brom.
The forward began his career at West Brom before moving to FC Barcelona’s academy in 2019, which reportedly resulted in a £215,000 compensation fee. He returned to Aston Villa in January 2020 for £880,000, but has since experienced multiple loan stints, with his most successful period at Stockport County, where he scored 16 goals in 24 games.
Barry’s name has circulated in transfer discussions, with clubs like Derby County and Coventry City also showing interest. King emphasized that any potential move would likely depend on Villa’s terms, stating, “I think if he goes anywhere, it’s got to be on Villa’s terms, not his.” He noted that Barry’s previous experiences in the Championship suggest he may need a change of environment to thrive.
A transfer to either Birmingham or West Brom would be significant, especially considering the rarity of players moving directly between Villa and their local rivals. The last such transfer occurred six years ago, underscoring the intense competition and rivalry in the West Midlands.
While Davies seeks to bolster his attacking options, the integration of Barry into the current squad presents challenges. Despite bringing in Osman on loan, Davies is still in search of additional wide players. Meanwhile, Ramsay’s early tenure at West Brom has been marked by criticism following a difficult start to the season.
As the January transfer window approaches, the futures of players like Barry remain uncertain. Both Birmingham City and West Brom will need to weigh the risks and benefits of pursuing this talented but underperforming forward, as he seeks to rediscover his form in the Championship.
