Assaf Shvartz, agent who worked on Abubakr Barry completing his transfer to Austrian champions RB Salzburg from fellow Bundesliga side FK Austria Wienand signing a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2029, in an exclusive interview with Footy-Africa described the process as one of the most challenging deals he has worked on but emphasized that the player’s determination to join Salzburg never changed.
“It was a very difficult negotiation that took us more than two weeks. But we were focused on what we wanted. Abuba was very clear that he wanted to come only to Salzburg and we made it possible for him,” Shvartz said. “Now it is time for magic in Salzburg.”
The permanent transfer is valued at approximately €3 million, with an additional €250,000 in performance-related bonuses, marking another major milestone in the midfielder’s rapidly progressing career. Barry’s move comes after weeks of intense negotiations between the two Austrian clubs.
The transfer follows reports exclusively revealed two weeks ago that several English clubs had expressed strong interest in the 25-year-old. Championship sides Stoke City and Oxford United were both keen on signing the Gambian international, but any potential move to England ultimately collapsed due to foreign player regulations.
Barry also received an offer from an Eastern European club, but both the player and his representatives rejected the proposal, believing it did not match his sporting ambitions. His camp remained committed to securing a move to a club competing at a higher level, with Salzburg emerging as the preferred destination.
View this post on Instagram
The move is a reward for Barry’s outstanding performances with Austria Wien, where he established himself as one of the Austrian Bundesliga’s most consistent midfielders. His blend of technical quality, work rate and attacking contributions made him one of the league’s standout performers and attracted interest from clubs across Europe.
Joining RB Salzburg presents Barry with a significant opportunity to compete for domestic honours and showcase his talent on the European stage. The club’s reputation for developing players and regularly competing in UEFA competitions makes it an ideal environment for the Gambian midfielder to continue his progression.
For the Scorpions international, the transfer represents another major step in his career, while Salzburg secures a player whose ambition and determination were instrumental in making the move a reality. With the deal now complete, Barry will turn his focus to making an immediate impact as he begins a new chapter with Austria’s most successful club.
