Everton are now seeking to strengthen after a host of players left the club.
The club have confirmed several outgoings since the end of the 2024/25 season, and fans are now looking for some incoming activity.
Everton are prioritising four positions at the moment, and one of those that’s on the agenda is a new striker.
Beto did brilliantly under David Moyes in 2025, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to leave Everton and Armando Broja has already returned to Chelsea.
It is thought Thierno Barry is a top target for Everton this summer, after he shone last season with Villarreal.
Barry, though, is fairly coveted and so, Everton may not have a straight run at him.
But one man who’ll likely be hoping to see this deal come to fruition is Dwight McNeil.
Thierno Barry could be perfect foil for Dwight McNeil at Everton
Dwight McNeil playing for Everton.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Barry would be an exciting signing for Everton.
He is still only 22, but is already looking like a great player, and his haul of 19 goals and four assists last term was impressive.
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A good number of Barry’s goals came from in and around the six-yard box.
Barry is 6ft 4in tall, making him a real threat in the air – and this was underlined by the fact he scored three headers in 2024/25. He also scored several tap-ins.
He’s a player to finish off moves, and Dwight McNeil is certainly very good when it comes to finding the final man in a move.
McNeil spent a few months of last season on the sidelines through injury. But he still finished the campaign with eight assists to his name.
McNeil also executed the most through balls of any Everton player in the Premier League (eight), and was second for crosses (105 via official Premier League data, Jack Harrison top with 131).
Iliman Ndiaye – another creative spark for Moyes – would likely also benefit from Everton signing Barry. But the numbers are there to suggest McNeil would be the real big winner.
How much Everton must pay to sign Thierno Barry
Thierno Barry of France celebrates after scoring their third side goal that will be disallowed after VAR Review.
Photo by Christian Hofer – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Barry will not come cheap this summer.
Barry has a release clause worth around £33 million, and Everton may well be unable to sign him for lower.
Everton remain in talks with Villarreal over Barry, who was initially keen to stay at Villarreal. Perhaps the club are seeking to strike a deal to get him for less.
But given the level of interest, and his importance to Villarreal, it’s difficult to see Everton snagging him for any lower.
But hopefully the club do manage to get this deal over the line, with Beto needing competition