ASTON VILLA claim they have picked up a snip after signing striker Louie Barry from Barcelona for less than £1million.
However furious West Brom chiefs are raging that they still haven’t received a penny of the £125,000 the Catalan giants owe them for the 16-year-old they plundered from the Hawthorns last summer.
Aston Villa have signed Louie Barry from BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barry left the Baggies to secure a dream move to the Nou Camp, but after just six months the teen starlet will return to England.
The forward rejected a transfers to PSG last summer but went on to make just three appearances for Barca in the UEFA Youth League.
While West Brom weigh up their legal options, Villa chiefs were congratulating themselves on their coup, claiming they have signed one of the most gifted young attacking talents in Britain.
Villa’s new Academy boss Mark Harrison, who was formerly with Albion, told Villa TV: “We firmly believe Louie can be an outstanding number nine for this football club.
“His signing sends out a powerful message about the ambition of this football club. Louie is a local person and his family are all Villa fans, as is Louie. We’re delighted.
“He also came off the bench in three UEFA Youth League games for Barca, playing a total of 59 minutes.”
Barry, who made his debut for the Nou Camp club on October 12, has played in 7 youth league games, scoring 2 goals.
The deal brings into question the nature of youth signings as Barcelona has made a near £1million profit in six months.
However they have yet to compensate West Brom for the tiny £125,000 development fee they owe the Championship club for snatching one of their brightest young prospects.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
