Everton have ‘decisively shifted’ to try and sign Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, prioritising a deal for the 21-year-old this summer.
That’s [according to El Periodico Mediterraneo](https://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/villarreal-cf/2025/07/01/everton-llama-puerta-barry-vale-villarreal-cf-119226725.html), who report that Villarreal are more than aware of Everton’s determination to sign the striker.
The newspaper reports that no official offer has arrived from Everton for Barry yet. Villarreal have assumed a clear position on that front anyway; Everton have to pay his €40m release clause or submit an offer that is close to that figure.
The Spanish side have no intention of giving away the striker this summer. They consider him key to their Champions League project, as CEO Roig Negueroles explained in a recent interview on Radio Villarreal.
Villarreal are sticking to that figure as it would represent a ‘resounding financial success’ for the club. Barry cost them €16m to sign from Basel a year ago.
There is also the matter of them not having a direct replacement in the current squad. They want the funds to replace him if they decide to go down that path.
The situation is clear then. Everton want Barry this summer, perhaps even more so now that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has confirmed his departure from the club, but Villarreal won’t budge. They won’t sell unless the Toffees make a suitable offer for him.