Birmingham City and Sunderland miss out on QPR transfer as Aston Villa star lined up as replacement

Birmingham City are reportedly interested in signing Aston Villa forward Louie Barry.

According to Football Insider, Blues have registered their interest to their inter-city rivals about signing Barry. The report says that the Villains might be willing to let Barry go out on loan if a club can make the promise that he will get sufficient first-team opportunities.

Barry was on target for Villa yesterday (July 17) as they ran out 3-0 winners against Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. The Premier League club are expected to green light a move for Barry who will be hoping to make the step up after a loan spell in League Two last term.

The 21-year-old was on loan at Stockport County, and started really well but a hamstring injury ruled him out from October to April. He still managed to play in 20 games, providing nine goals and four assists as Stockport won the League Two title.

Barry has already had a taste of the third tier, having been at Ipswich Town and MK Dons. He only made two appearances for the Tractor Boys in the league and failed to score, whilst at MK Dons he performed slightly better with three assists and a goal in 22 outings.

Before joining Stockport last season, Barry signed a contract extension with the Villa, though the length of that deal was never disclosed. He is at least under contract though until the summer of 2025, and so any season-long move would potentially take him up to the end of his contract.

In other news, the Bristol Post is reporting that Birmingham City have missed out on the signing of Sinclair Armstrong from QPR. Armstrong was subject of interest from Stoke City, but it has since emerged that both Birmingham and Sunderland had also made a late bid to sign the Republic of Ireland striker, but he is instead heading to Ashton Gate.

The 21-year-old was in to the last 12 months of his contract and the Hoops have decided to cash in on him now with a bid of just under £2m being accepted. Armstrong got three goals and three assists in 39 Championship games last term, after making a break through last term following loans at Torquay and Aldershot.