Everton to make ‘statement signings’ after major Calvert-Lewin exit news – Exclusive
Everton have been linked with a host of high-profile names as they prepare to move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The move marks a historic moment in the Merseyside club’s history, and the Toffees want to cement it with a marquee Premier League signing.
Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker have both been linked with a move to the North West amid their imminent exits.
Elsewhere, Everton are expected to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin and want to replace him with Villareal’s Thierno Barry.
Barry to replace Calvert-Lewin at Everton
After almost nine years at the Merseyside club, Calvert-Lewin has offers on the table to leave Everton, with his contract expiring on 30 June.
That could pave the way for Moyes to sign Barry, who has a £34million release clause at the Yellow Submarine.
Indeed, football finance expert Dan Plumley – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – believes the Toffees will replace Calvert-Lewin with a statement signing, possibly even two.
“We talked about that with Everton, moving into this window, we did expect a couple of statement signings,” he said.
“You look again at where that club was and where it’s now, with the restructuring of finances, new ownership, new stadium, and likely a couple of players leaving.
“If you are going to have your main striker go, then, of course, you want to look at who’s coming in to replace him.
“We talked about, potentially, a Kyle Walker or even a Jack Grealish as well, that those would feel like two, maybe three statement signings that we perhaps expected from Everton.
“They don’t come cheap, and the club still has to be mindful of that, particularly with wages and one eye on what’s coming down the track with the regulatory framework.
“It’s a big statement given where they have been in the last few years in terms of activity in the transfer market.”
What would Barry bring? Where would he fit in under Moyes?
At 22, Barry is regarded as a prospect for the future, but there is every reason to believe he is also the player for now.
Last season, the forward bagged 11 La Liga goals and was a regular as Villareal finished fifth in the league table.
Barry was an aerial threat, winning 67 per cent of his aerial duels, and has a healthy conversion rate of 15 per cent, as per Sofascore.
The French sensation could play alongside Iliman Ndiaye or as a lone striker amid Beto’s potential Hill Dickinson exit in the coming weeks.
This is certainly one to watch, with plenty of wheels already turning.
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