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West Brom take legal advice as former academy ace Louie Barry closes in on Aston Villa switch

Furious Albion are taking legal advice over former academy ace Louie Barry’s proposed transfer to Villa from Barcelona.

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The 16-year-old attacker is on the brink of moving back to the Midlands in a deal worth around £3million, less than six months after leaving the Baggies for the Catalan giants.

But the news has infuriated Albion, who are still to receive any of the £235,000 compensation owed them by Barcelona following Barry’s exit in July.

The Baggies, who had already reported the La Liga club to FIFA, were last night consulting lawyers and have not ruled out the possibility of legal action.

Barry’s proposed move to Villa continues a saga which began when he turned down the offer of a three-year contract at The Hawthorns and the advances of Paris St Germain in order to join Barcelona.

He became the first ever English player to live at the Catalan club’s famed La Masia academy but his time in Spain has been blighted by red tape and accusations of broken promises about regular playing time. Barry did not make his debut for Barcelona’s under-19s until October due to a delay processing his registration with FIFA but has found minutes hard to come by.

That has presented Villa with an opportunity and they are thought to have seen off interest from both Liverpool and Manchester United in order to secure his signature.

Barry grew up in Sutton Coldfield and is from a family of Villa supporters, while Bodymoor Heath academy boss Mark Harrison is also thought to have played a key part in the deal.

Harrison spent 13 years running Albion’s academy and helped nurture Barry’s talent before himself moving to Villa in August last year.

Barry will join as a youth team player but Villa believe they have secured one of the brightest young English players.

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