‘Everton negotiate bargain Thierno Barry move’ as striker transfer announced
Everton are reportedly in ongoing negotiations to sign Villarreal striker Thierno Barry.
Barry, 22, scored 19 goals and supplied four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for both Villarreal and his former club FC Basel last season.
Villarreal signed the French centre-forward from Basel last year for around £11.5million after he scored 20 goals in 41 games for the Swiss giants.
When he completed his move to Spain, the Lyon-born striker signed a four-year deal at Estadio de la Cerámica, which includes a £34million release clause.
Everton want to whittle away at Barry release clause
The Times reported on Monday (30 June) that Everton are now locked in talks with Villarreal in order to sign Barry for a fee lower than his release clause.
Merseyside reporter Paul Joyce claims that discussions are ongoing between the two clubs in order to reach a discounted agreement in favour of the Toffees.
France Under-21 international Barry is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League in the current summer transfer window to help bolster David Moyes’ strike force.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin replacement lined up at Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced on Sunday (29 June) that he has failed to agree a new deal and will be leaving Everton at the end of the month when his contract expires.
The 28-year-old leaves Merseyside after 273 appearances, 71 goals and countless injury issues.
Last season, Calvert-Lewin scored just three times in the Premier League with Moyes eventually preferring Beto, who had a strong end to the campaign.
Barry is a young French striker who’s scored goals on a regular basis in both Switzerland and Spain.
Becoming Everton’s new main man up front won’t be an easy task for a manager known for his pragmatic style of play and with the pressure of moving into a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
However, it’s a huge opportunity for Barry to become the Hill Dickinson Stadium’s first new hero in blue as Everton aim to get back on the straight and narrow under the ownership of The Friedkin Group and the management of Moyes.