Transfers can sometimes be a murky business for football clubs, and West Brom have found that out the hard way over the past few months.
Louie Barry also on the way to #avfc – Story here via @SteveMadeley78 . Watched him in action a few times for England youth teams – looks decent. #wba #barcelona https://t.co/whZdWdZmUq
— Gregg Evans (@greggevans40) January 7, 2020
The Baggies have yet to receive payment from La Liga giants Barcelona over the signing of former academy star Louie Barry, with West Brom seeking legal advice over an unpaid tribunal fee the Catalan side are yet to cough up despite the transfer taking place over the summer as reported by Sky Sports News.
What should West Brom do about Ferguson's contract situation?
Offer him another long-term deal
Sell him on to a Premier League club in January
And tensions have only worsened between the two sides as The Athletic report that Barry is now set to join Aston Villa on a permanent deal this window for a reported fee of £1.5m, leaving many West Brom supporters on social media furious with both the Barcelona and Barry.
Here’s what West Brom fans had to say on Twitter about Barry’s impending move to Villa, with lots of supporters fuming that the Baggies end up the losers in this transfer…
Its scandalous that he can go to Barcelona for 5 months for nothing, they don’t pay for him and then he can come back for £1.5m. #wba would have received 4 times that if the transfer had been direct without Barcelona 3rd party
— dchantry (@dchantry) January 7, 2020
That worked out well for Barry. Leaves Premier League bound Albion. Comes back to the midlands to join Championship bound Villa.
— Dave Neale (@baggiedave70) January 7, 2020
Cup games in the championship? pic.twitter.com/hpYZZdzXgh
— Lee Deller (@LeeDeller91) January 7, 2020
Disgrace .
— Stevo Walton (@Stevotop) January 8, 2020
Previous goodwill to @LouieBarry6 is quickly turning to anger concerning greed culture over Academy transfers. @WBA invested heavily in the boys development for little or no reward. @FA
— Ian Tinsley (@billericaybaggy) January 8, 2020
Needs a man like @SteveMadeley78 to get to the bottom of the Louie Barry saga. Quite frankly it absolutely stinks. #WBA
— The Baggies Bible (@TheBaggiesBible) January 7, 2020
As per the Sky Sports News report, Barcelona owe West Brom £130,000 in tribunal fees set for transfers of this nature.