Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King has made a claim about Louie Barry’s probable future, one that includes local rivals Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

At the moment, the Villans are dominating the West Midlands football scene, however Blues and Albion will be hoping to return to the Premier League soon.

Chris Davies’ side is currently higher in the Championship, but Birmingham have had a rather inconsistent return to the second tier, despite being tipped by many to mount a sustained push for at least the play-offs after yet another heavy recruitment drive at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park following a record-breaking EFL campaign as League One champions.

Albion, meanwhile, have just entered yet another new managerial era under Shilen Patel’s ownership, with former Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay taking over at The Hawthorns in place of Ryan Mason, though the 34-year-old’s immediate focus will be on how he can turn around the Baggies’ immediate fortunes rather than a major squad overhaul.

That’s because Davies and his recruitment team at St. Andrew’s have been one of the Championship’s most active clubs in the market, both in terms of incoming and exiting transfers.

Birmingham had already signed Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman, and August Priske in order to finish in the top six in the closing weeks of the season, while also parting ways with Eiran Cashin, Dion Sanderson, Emil Hansson, Keshi Anderson, and Lyndon Dykes.

Barry has also had an exceptionally unhappy 12-month period with two Championship clubs, failing to make the desired effect at both Hull City and Sheffield United while on loan from B6.

After being injured in his fourth game for the Tigers 11 months earlier, Ruben Selles signed the 22-year-old on loan again during the Spaniard’s only transfer window at Bramall Lane.

However, after Football League World exclusively disclosed that such changes will take place, Barry’s loan deal was terminated on January 3rd after only nine outings.

Despite his tragedy, the aforementioned King has not ruled out a third chance for the Sutton Coldfield-born forward to show himself in the Championship, with Blues and Albion referenced in a new allegation.

Ex-Aston Villa scout Bryan King drops Louie Barry’s exit claim concerning Birmingham City and West Brom.

Despite playing extensively for Villa’s youth teams, Barry began his still-young career at The Hawthorns before a well-documented move to FC Barcelona’s ‘La Masia’ setup in the summer of 2019, with the Baggies receiving £215,000 in compensation from the La Liga giants.

Following his return to the West Midlands in January 2020 for £880,000, Barry has had several loan spells away from Villa Park, the most successful of which came in two spells at Stockport County, where he scored 16 goals in 24 games during the first half of last season, catching the attention of Championship clubs.

Despite an injury-plagued spell with Hull, the forward became the subject of intense transfer speculation in the summer, with Derby County, Coventry City, and West Brom named as possible destinations, as well as reports that Barry’s name had been “mentioned internally” at St. Andrew’s.

It remains to be seen whether his next move will be permanent or on loan. However, King believes Barry may have little control over the transaction, which might involve Birmingham or West Brom.

“I think if he goes anywhere, it’s got to be on Villa’s terms, not his,” he said.

“I thought he’d be fine in the Championship, but I don’t think Sheffield United was the ideal fit.

“(Chris) Wilder didn’t fancy him, and it was difficult for him to get into the side,” according to King.

“I would have predicted Birmingham City or West Brom would want him. “That would allow Villa to keep an eye on him for a local team,” the former scout alleged.

“He still has a lot to learn, therefore he won’t be playing for Villa’s first squad right now.

“If a Championship club wants a forward, it’s time for him to move on.”

The transfer of Louie Barry would pose a significant risk for Birmingham City or West Brom.

No player has transferred directly from Villa Park to St. Andrew’s in six years, illustrating how uncommon it is for Villa and Blues to do business together in the first place.

Leaving aside the bitter rivalry that Birmingham and West Brom have with Villa, signing Barry would be a major risk for Davies or Ramsay to accept at this time.

Despite signing Osman on loan from Brighton, Davies appears to be looking for more wide players, having missed out on signing Jeremy Sarmiento, and with Liverpool prospect Lewis Koumas struggling to make an impact in B9.

Albion have previously taken Samuel Iling-Junior on loan from Unai Emery’s side this season, and the 22-year-old has received criticism.

It’s also unclear how Barry would fit into Ramsay’s present plans, as the ex-Manchester United manager continues to impose his will on the Baggies team, despite an unsettling start that saw eight goals conceded in two home games against Middlesbrough and Norwich City.