West Ham United's English head coach Graham Potter goes to shake hands with Crystal Palace's Austrian manager Oliver Glasner (R) after the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, in London on January 18, 2025.placeholder image
West Ham United's English head coach Graham Potter goes to shake hands with Crystal Palace's Austrian manager Oliver Glasner (R) after the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, in London on January 18, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images
West Ham United and Crystal Palace are poised to miss out on one of their transfer targets as he prepares to join Everton
It was reported last week that the Toffees had made the first move and opened talks with the striker, who has a release clause of £34m in his contract with Spanish side Villareal. Reports from Spain just a couple of weeks ago indicated the player was “firmly” in the sights of both West Ham and Palace, as well as Everton.
It is Everton who have made the move for the player who scored 11 goals in 35 La Liga games last term having joined the Yellow Submarine for £11.5m in the summer of 2024. Villareal finished fifth in La Liga last season, which was enough for a place in the Champions League after Spain was handed an extra qualification spot alongside the Premier League.
Palace, if their place in the Europa League is approved, could have offered him the chance to play European football next season as well as the chance to play in the Premier League.
Fabrizio Romano gives update on Thierno Barry to Everton
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest update on Barry, as he wrote on X: “Everton are now closing in on deal to sign Thierno Barry as new striker from Villarreal. Deal at the final stages after personal terms agreed.”
Barry’s decision to make the move to Merseyside means Walter Benitez is Palace’s only arrival of the window so far. They are strongly linked with Sporting CP ace Ousmane Diomande as a potential replacement for Marc Guehi, who is the subject of intense interest from Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the Irons have secured Jean-Clair Todibo on a permanent deal while Daniel Cummings has joined on a free transfer from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
West Ham striker need greater than Crystal Palace
Barry’s pending move to Everton will come as more of a blow to those at the London Stadium in comparison to Palace. Jean Philippe Mateta is the first choice at Selhurst Park after a stand-out season for the Eagles and was one of the best-performing strikers in the Premier League last term. Only nine players scored more in the Premier League than him as he netted 14 goals.
Oliver Glasner also has Eddie Nketiah in his ranks.
Meanwhile, Jarrod Bowen was West Ham’s top scorer last season with 14 goals from right wing while defensive midfielder Tomas Soucek was second on the list with nine goals. It highlights a glaring issue for Potter, who lacks that goalscoring threat in the number nine position.
Evan Ferguson’s loan was not made permanent while Danny Ings was released. Quality strikers appear to be in heavy demand this summer and both Palace and West Ham will need to move swiftly to alternate targets or risk missing out again.
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