Everton fans are hoping to see some incoming activity soon, and one player linked with a move is worth getting excited about.
Everton have had a fairly quiet start to the summer in terms of incomings, with only Carlos Alcaraz’s loan move being made permanent so far.
It’s a different story on the outgoings front though, with several players departing such as Ashley Young, Joao Viriginia, Asmir Begovic and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
And loan players Jesper Lindstrom, Jack Harrison, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala have all gone back to their parent clubs.
One man whose future is still up in the air though is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Last week, it was suggested Calvert-Lewin was set to leave Everton after the two parties had failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension. But there’s still not been any kind of announcement from the club.
Everton did say last week that talks were still on.
Some Everton fans reckon the time is right now for Calvert-Lewin to move on – and David Moyes might just be about to bring in a big upgrade.
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Thierno Barry could be a big Dominic Calvert-Lewin upgrade
Thierno Barry playing for France U21s.
Photo by Christian Hofer – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Even without the uncertainty over Calvert-Lewin, Everton need to be in the market for a new striker.
Moyes has lost Broja, and there is potential for Youssef Chermiti to go out on loan next season.
That would leave just Beto.
Thierno Barry is a target for Everton, with the Villarreal striker having probably had the most speculation over the past couple of weeks.
Everton are supposedly prepared to pay Barry’s release clause, but it may well be that Toffees officials are trying to negotiate a cheaper deal.
But if Calvert-Lewin is to leave and Barry is his replacement, then that’s a positive move by Everton.
According to fbref data, Barry beats Calvert-Lewin in a number of metrics.
Of goals, Barry scored way more goals in 2024/25 than Calvert-Lewin, hitting 19 across all competitions to DCL’s three. Obviously, though, Calvert-Lewin did miss a few months with injury.
But delving deeper into it, Barry also had a higher shot-creating actions per 90 metric than Calvert-Lewin (1.78 vs 1.46).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing for Everton.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Furthermore, Barry was better in the air. He had an aerial duels success rate of 67.3% to Calvert-Lewin’s 51.2%.
In a less important statistic, Barry also had a 44% tackle rate on dribblers. Calvert-Lewin had 33%.
Everton should beat off the competition to sign Barry as Calvert-Lewin’s replacement
Barry’s release clause is £33 million.
That would be quite a lot to pay, but the Frenchman has huge potential and also has a number of other teams on his tail.
So Villarreal may well get close to that figure.
Everton may just need to trigger the clause if they want the player – but it is also about convincing him to come.
Obviously, Everton are starting an exciting new chapter with the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and David Moyes wants to push for Europe.
So between those things, hopefully, Barry will say yes to the project.