Birmingham City could be set to move for a big-name young star from a familiar foe this summer
It will no doubt be a summer to watch at Birmingham City. The League One champions arrive in the Championship with plenty of ambition, looking to make a major impact on the second tier after just a year away.
Blues spent heavily in League One last campaign, using the club’s ties with NFL icon Tom Brady to good effect to show a host of talented players the potential behind the Birmingham City project. A record 111-point League One campaign followed, which has left Blues fans dreaming of back-to-back promotion challenges when Chris Davies’ side arrive in the Championship.
Aston Villa ace could make shock move across Birmingham
Blues are reported to be one of the clubs interested in bringing in young Aston Villa striker Louie Barry on loan, in a GiveMeSport exclusive which mentions Derby County, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City as other sides who could decide to make a move.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a stand-out loan spell with League One high-flyers Stockport County last season, where he scored 16 goals in 24 games before being recalled in January. Unai Emery attempted to fast-track the former Barcelona youth star’s progress with a loan move to Hully City in the Championship, though this wasn’t ultimately successful as an injury cut short his time there. A full season on loan in the Championship is set to be next on the agenda for Barry, and there are few more exciting projects than that of Blues at the moment - though this would be a surprising move by a young man who has said he supported city rivals Villa as a child.
The impact Louie Barry could make at Birmingham City
Blues had no issues scoring goals in League One last season, netting 84 in 46 games. But the Championship is a big step up, and Davies’ side only saw two players reach double figures last campaign, in Jay Stansfield (19 goals) and Alfie May (16).
Stansfield has already proven his credentials at Championship level, and was essentially signed in preparation for the club’s return there. May, however, has never played in the second tier - and, though he has earnt his shot at this level after four prolific years in League One, he will be 32 when the next season kicks off and Blues could benefit from some extra competition in attack.
In step Barry, who is a star in the making and primed for a top Championship season. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once dubbed Barry “little Jamie Vardy” after the then 17-year-old scored a well-taken goal in Villa’s FA Cup defeat to the Reds. With time very much on his hands, it remains to be seen whether Barry will live up to such a comparison with the legendary Leicester City title-winning striker.
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