Everton are now ready to accelerate talks to sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Everton have been interested in Thierno Barry for some time, a 22-year-old who just enjoyed a stellar campaign in La Liga.
Barry netted 19 goals in 41 games across all competitions, explaining why David Moyes’ side are so keen on the striker.
Of course, Barry has been away with France at the U21 Championships so far this summer where he made five appearances.
But after being eliminated from the tournament in a 3-0 defeat to Germany on Wednesday night, Everton are now ready to crack on with a move.
Everton ready to accelerate talks to sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Everton are now confident that they will be able to sign Barry this summer.
Everton are aware that Barry has interest from around Europe and following France’s exit from the U21 Championships, the Toffees are ready to accelerate talks.
Thierno Barry celebrates a goal for France U21s.
Photo by Christian Hofer – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Moyes’ side have already done a lot of work on a deal for Barry with the player’s camp, and it’s understood that discussions have progressed.
As a result, Barry is open to the move and the French striker likes the idea of leading the line for a Premier League club.
Everton still hold an interest in re-signing Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur, but they are now ready to engage with Villarreal regarding a deal for Barry over the coming days.
Everton are willing to pay the striker’s £34m release clause, but they may even pay a slightly higher amount in order to do the deal in installments.
The club’s new head of player trading Nick Hammond and director of scouting James Smith are driving the deal as things stand.
Thierno Barry can solve Everton’s goalscoring issue
In the Premier League last season, no Everton player was able to reach the double-figure mark, explaining why Moyes wants to recruit a new striker.
Iliman Ndiaye did come close, but he’s proved that he’s better deployed as a number 10 or out wide on the left.
Games Goals
Iliman Ndiaye 33 9
Beto 30 8
Dwight McNeil 21 4
Abdoulaye Doucoure 33 3
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 26 3
Everton’s top goalscorers during the 2024/25 Premier League season.
Barry scored 11 goals in 35 La Liga matches last season, so he might not come in and immediately enjoy a 20-goal campaign.
But the young striker has bags of potential as he displayed at the U21 Championships.
Of course, Everton are also interested in Nick Woltemade who has been impressing himself at the tournament with Germany.
And although Newcastle are eyeing a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer, Everton are making progress in their own striker hunt.