The only name on Evertonians’ lips at the moment is Thierno Barry.
From what has been a slow start to the window, Barry is looking like the only concrete deal that could happen imminently for Everton.
The Friedkin Group aren’t exactly living up to their ambitious wishes of spending a lot of money, as David Moyes is yet to use any of his healthy summer budget.
But it looks as though the first of this budget will be used on Barry who deleted an Instagram post detailing he’s getting on a flight.
This is more than likely him heading on holiday, but the chances of him securing his £34m move to Everton is also on the table, but that sum could be different than expected.
Thierno Barry kneeslides after scoring for Villarreal.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
The fee Everton could end up paying for Thierno Barry
It’s looking clearer that Barry will become an Everton player, but there are talks still to be had.
Everton fans would have been keeping an eye on his performance during the EURO U21 tournament where he came up in a big moment for France.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
From looking at him though, Everton fans saw Barry good in the air, which is a brilliant tool to utilise in the Premier League.
Whether £34m is the right fee is another question, but Villarreal are willing to lower Barry’s asking price.
Speaking of lowering his value it’s become likely that this could certainly be the case as speaking to the Blue Room podcast, Athletic journalist Paddy Boyland believes Everton can land a cut-price deal.
“I don’t sense yet any decisive movement on this,” Boyland said.
“The clubs are speaking, and if Villarreal are going to go below the release clause, I don’t think it’s going to be a huge amount below.
“I think it could be a case of a couple of million.”
READ MORE: Kenny Tete’s outburst over Ronald Koeman proves Everton have dodged a bullet
So far, it seems like The Friedkins are 1 out of 1 when it comes to successful deals as Carlos Alcaraz’s £12.6m fee has gone down a treat.
It certainly looks to be a bargain going off Alcaraz’s start, and the same is expected from Barry’s signature.
But what will be interesting to see is that with Everton able to spend £50-100m this summer, Barry will likely be more than double what Alcaraz cost.
The hope is that the owners will work efficiently and sustainably by spreading the cost out over numerous years instead of paying up front.
This will help their budget for the summer, giving them more versatility in the transfer window with other players.
But with £30m looking to be the lowest Everton could get, this deal on the whole could be a bargain, but they need to get it done quickly.