Report: Aston Villa leading race for Barcelona prospect Louie Barry

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Aston Villa are in talks with Barcelona over a deal for highly-rated youngster Louie Barry, according to a report from the Daily Mail.

The 16-year-old only moved to the Nou Camp during the summer. Some personnel changes at the Spanish club have seen him grow unsettled, however.

Barca still owe West Bromwich Albion £130,000 in compensation from the original sale, but the youngster could now be on his way back to England.

The striker is an England youth international. He turned down PSG to sign for the La Liga champions during the summer.

He has played three times in the UEFA Youth League for Barcelona, netting in a 3-2 defeat against Slavia Prague.

Barry becomes the first English player live at the club’s famous La Masia academy and actually netted a goal on his debut for the under-19s.

The teenager would be a decent addition to the Villa youth ranks and it would be interesting to see what the future holds for the talisman.

TBR Verdict – Decent addition for Villa who could secure star of the future

Signing Barry from Barcelona would be a tidy little addition for Aston Villa and Dean Smith.

He wouldn’t go straight into the first-team of course but several players have risen through the youth academy in recent years.

Jack Grealish is the most obvious one and if he can have a similar impact on the first-team as he has, Villa will be laughing.

Barry checking-in at Villa Park would be a blow to West Brom. The two clubs are viewed as rivals to some supporters and over the years they have had some great battles.

If he does become a class act at the Premier League club, the Baggies will be left to rue what might have been.

Only time will tell whether that proves to the case.