Everton are in talks to sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal this summer transfer window.
Thierno Barry is Everton’s number one target after an impressive season with Villarreal and Basel, netting 19 goals.
Thierno Barry has a £34m release clause in his contract and the La Liga outfit are refusing to negotiate a fee lower than that figure.
Manager Marcelino has already admitted they will allow Barry to leave if that’s his desire, so there’s serious legs to this deal.
If indeed it does materialise, that will leave Beto and Barry as the two main forward options at Everton, with Chermiti potentially joining Stoke.
With that said, it’s just emerged who is more likely to start out of the two.
Thierno Barry celebrates for Villarreal against Real Valladolid.
Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images
Who is expected to start for Everton out of Thierno Barry and Beto
Beto arrived with great fanfare during the summer of 2023, as Everton paid around £30m for his signature from Udinese.
However, the towering frontman just couldn’t get going and was actually deemed a flop under Sean Dyche’s stewardship.
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That all changed when Moyes rejoined the club at the turn of the year, and now Beto is seen as a key player for the Toffees.
The 27-year-old ended the season with 12 goals, with many of them coming in the latter stages, so it would be harsh to drop him heading into the 2025/26 campaign.
However, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Barry is seen as the ‘top target to lead the line’, which may throw Beto’s future into doubt.
Leeds United and Fenerbahce interested in signing Beto
Shortly after Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League, it became apparent that Daniel Farke was interested in signing Beto.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce also have Beto on their radar, and it’s understood the Toffees would consider selling him for the right price.
Moyes and his chiefs want around £21m to sanction his sale, which are terms that could well be met before the end of the window.
And, with Barry clearly favoured as the main man, Beto may actually decide to move onto new pastures where he is first-choice.