Marcelino and Thierno Barry
Marcelino and Thierno Barry
Everton are keen on signing Villarreal star Thierno Barry, and it now appears that a deal could be close.
Barry only joined Villarreal last year, but has impressed in his first season in La Liga and could now make a quick exit.
Everton are keen on signing a striker this summer, and Barry now appears to be top of the list, as someone who can make an immediate impact as well as a long-term one.
With David Moyes’ side reportedly close to agreeing a deal for the attacker, Villarreal manager Marcelino has now addressed the links between the Frenchman and Everton.
David Moyes
David Moyes wants new attackers in the summer. (Credit: Imago)
Marcelino addresses Barry to Everton links
Villarreal have sold several players to the Premier League in recent seasons, with Nicolas Jackson and Filip Jorgensen moving to Chelsea, and Barry could be the next to follow.
The 22-year-old scored 11 goals in 25 La Liga starts last season, and Marcelino has now admitted that while they do not want to lose him, they may be forced to accept his departure.
“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 [Baena], we’ll have to find a solution,” he stated via Futbol Fantasy (26 June).
“He’s a young player, who wasn’t well-known here, but who has gone from strength to strength, 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 and will look for solutions so that the team doesn’t weaken.”
Everton target Thierno Barry's La Liga stats.
Barry’s league stats last season in Spain. (Credit: Imago)
Barry will need time to adapt at Everton
Barry is a popular figure at Villarreal and clearly has a lot of potential, but he was also afforded more patience as they were not reliant on him as the main centre-forward.
Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe shared the load with Barry in a two-striker formation, but it will be a different story at Everton.
The 22-year-old appears set to arrive as competition for, and perhaps to usurp Beto as the lone striker, and this will require him to adapt his game.
The attacker is still raw and relatively inexperienced, but while he has shown a lot of potential and quality, fans may need to be patient as he adapts his game to thrive under Moyes in the Premier League.
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