There are some strikers who just seem tailor made for Premier League football. Take Villarreal hitman, and reported West Ham United and Everton target, Thierno Barry for instance.
And if any one moment sums up the strengths of a centre-forward who possesses all the physical attributes to become an immediate hit on English soil, it was his rasping volley against Getafe in the spring.
Thierno Barry turns on the afterburners and storms into space behind the Getafe backline. Watching a lofted Alex Baena cross drop over his shoulder, the Villarreal striker connected beautifully with a first-time strike which flew into the top corner of the opposition’s net.
Dynamic, decisive, and deadly.
West Ham United have been linked with the France Under-21 international, as with a whole host of talented number nines across Europe and beyond.
However, as TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey explained earlier in the week, David Moyes’ Everton are currently leading the charge. The Toffees are willing to trigger Barry’s £34 million release clause.
And as West Ham wait for sales before they go big in the market, Everton may have a much clearer run than they were expecting at a striker who scored 11 La Liga goals after joining Villarreal from Swiss outfit FC Basel.
Head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, meanwhile, admits that Barry will be allowed to leave should he so wish. Villarreal stand to earn a cool £20 million profit, after all, even if the 22-year-old will take some replacing.
Thierno Barry celebrates scoring a goal during Villarreal CF v Real Valladolid CF in La Liga EA Sports
Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images
Villarreal ready to sell Thierno Barry with West Ham United and Everton keen
Speaking to El Larguero, former Valencia and Athletic Club boss Marcelino admits he is in the dark somewhat about Barry’s future.
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But like with the aforementioned Baena – reportedly on his way to Atletico Madrid – Villarreal are aware of their place in the footballing food chain.
“We’re always concerned about the departure of important players, like Alex,” Marcelino explains. “I don’t know how Barry’s situation is, if his departure is close. The last information I had wasn’t sure if it could happen.
“But anyway, if that happens, just like with Alex, we’ll have to find a solution.”
Marcelino Garcia Toral will ‘accept’ Thierno Barry’s La Liga exit
Hammers News understands that West Ham remain interested in Emanuel Emegha of Strasbourg, among others. At this stage, with Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and co still at the London Stadium, a big-money deal for a new number nine feels a while away.
“He’s a young player who wasn’t well-known here [before he arrived], but who has gone from strength to strength,” Marcelino adds of Barry.
“Who has contributed a lot to us, both in terms of numbers and in terms of what he means to our team and what he influences our opponents.
“If Villarreal believes that – with the investment they’ve made and what they can receive in just one year, plus the performance they’ve given – this transaction should be carried out, and if the player himself wants to look for a new destination, then we accept it.
“We will look for solutions so that the team doesn’t weaken.”
Unsurprisingly given his 6ft 5in frame, the spring-heeled Barry attempted the third-most headed shots of any La Liga player last season. Athletic, speedy, a relentless runner and a fierce striker of the ball, the Frenchman’s talents need some honing. His rough edges requiring some smoothing out.
But for a coach like Graham Potter or David Moyes, these are the sort of raw ingredients from which a Michelin star striker can be produced.