Fernando Roig Nogueroles has been discussing Villarreal's position in regards to interest in their players this summer
Thierno Barry, of France, looks on during the UEFA Euro U21 match between Germany and France. The forward is of interest to Everton, Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Thierno Barry, of France, looks on during the UEFA Euro U21 match between Germany and France. The forward is of interest to Everton, Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Villarreal appear open to negotiations over Everton target Thierno Barry but club chiefs believe they are operating from a position of strength.
The France Under-21s forward is of interest to David Moyes this summer. He has a release clause of around £34m but the Blues are understood to be exploring whether the Spanish club is open to a lower fee.
According to comments made by the side’s sporting director, Fernando Roig Nogueroles, they may be willing to countenance a compromise, particularly if Barry were to push for the move. But, he insisted: “We want the player, and if he were to leave, it would have to be, if not for the release clause, something very close to it. If not, he won't leave."
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On the future of the 22-year-old, Nogueroles said amid the interest from Everton: "In the end, it seems there's a shortage of forwards, and now we've been selling our centre forward for two years, and now it seems there's interest.
“But at the moment, we have no proof of that, and we're counting on Barry for next season.”
Barry struck 11 times in La Liga and provided four assists in his debut campaign in eastern Spain. He secured a move from Swiss side FC Basel 12 months ago - a deal Nogueroles acknowledged was a “gamble” at the time.
Moyes wants to revamp his attacking options amid a major summer rebuild ahead of the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. With the current contract of Dominic Calvert-Lewin set to expire next week, though his future is yet to be confirmed, and questions over the lack of senior minutes experienced by Youssef Chermiti, interest has grown in Barry.
Should the club wish to bid for the forward then the pathway appears to be opening up. The new football financial year will start on Tuesday, a key landmark in Everton’s progress away from regulatory problems. Barry’s involvement in the U21s Euros culminated with France’s semi-final exit at the end of the last week, removing another potential hurdle.
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With his club boss Marcelino having publicly acknowledged he may lose his forward this summer, Nogueroles’ comments to Radio Vila-Real, in an interview covered by the website Futbol Fantasy (H/T Sport Witness), suggest the side would not reject approaches out of hand.
On the interest of clubs in several of his key players, he said: “You should never be closed off, and you should always listen. It’s another matter if an agreement isn’t reached, or if the negotiations aren’t enough, and no matter how much a player’s will is, sometimes you have to say no. But hey, you always have to listen, and you always have to negotiate.”
Reports have claimed Barry is interested in a move to the Premier League and should he express a desire to leave, that would influence Villarreal’s position, Nogueroles said.
But, he added, that does not mean he would become available at a cut price. He said: “These aren't real estate deals. What you're selling here is a person with a strong will. When it comes to defending the club's interests, you have to listen to their will, always listen. You don't always reach an agreement, and sometimes you have to say no, but you always have to listen and negotiate.
"Yes, the player's will is very important when it comes to any type of transfer, but, well, we're relaxed. We want the player, and if he were to leave, it would have to be, if not for the release clause, something very close to it. If not, he won't leave."