EFL 'supporting West Bromwich Albion in Louie Barry battle with Barcelona'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 17 March 2020

EFL 'supporting West Brom in Louie Barry battle with Barcelona'

West Bromwich Albion have reportedly been getting support from the EFL in their battle for compensation from Barcelona regarding Louie Barry's move to La Masia in 2019.

The EFL have reportedly been assisting West Bromwich Albion in their quest to claim the money they are allegedly owed by Barcelona following Louie Barry's controversial move to Spain last summer.

The Catalan giants poached the highly-rated 16-year-old from the Baggies' academy in July after Barry rejected a three-year deal with the Championship club in order to move to La Masia.

FIFA rules dictate that Barcelona owe West Brom £235,000 in compensation, although they are reportedly yet to pay that fee and have shown no willingness to settle it voluntarily.

The Express & Star reports that the Midlands club have been compiling written evidence in order to report Barcelona to FIFA, and that the EFL have worked closely with the Baggies during the process.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Barcelona have since sold Barry to West Brom's Midlands rivals Aston Villa, who paid a reported €1m (£880,000) for his services in January.

Slaven Bilic's side are understood to have contacted lawyers to determine whether or not the sale was legal given that Barcelona are yet to pay compensation for the initial transfer.