Everton striker Thierno Barry featuring at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026-27 / Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United claps fans after the Premier League match Burnley vs Leeds United at Turf Moor, Burnley, United Kingdom, 18th October 2025
Everton striker Thierno Barry featuring at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026-27 / Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United claps fans after the Premier League match Burnley vs Leeds United at Turf Moor, Burnley, United Kingdom, 18th October 2025
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Toffees will use Calvert-Lewin's situation as a lesson.
Everton were unable to agree new terms with the now-Leeds United striker, who has since netted 20 goals in 51 games after joining in 2025.
That's more than he scored in his final four seasons on Merseyside combined, but there is now a new star centre-forward at the Hill Dickinson.
Barry has overcome some early adversity at Everton, notching 10 goals and three assists in his opening 13 games of the 2026-27 campaign.
Attention has now turned to his contract situation. The 24-year-old is about to enter the final two years of his deal, with multiple clubs keeping tabs.
Everton to learn from Dominic Calvert-Lewin regrets
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes that losing Barry for nothing simply cannot be an option for the Toffees, having already been burned before.
"They will have been looking at the Calvert-Lewin situation as a lesson. It's a big, big loss and he's done really well at Leeds," he explained.
"And they've got nothing for him. So it's going to be really important, I think, for them to sign him up, especially his age and goal-scoring.
"But they've got two years. There's plenty of time. I can't imagine he's on huge money. So I think they will sign him up.
"And I think they will be quite nervous about it, given what happened with Calvert-Lewin. It's painful because strikers are so valuable in the game."
Thierno Barry concerns still linger at Everton
David Moyes simply hasn't had a choice over whether he plays Barry or not, with The Friedkin Group (TFG) failing to sign reinforcements.
Luckily, the Frenchman has exploded into life this season, and only Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak have more Premier League goals this season.
As per Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, the Toffees are still not totally convinced that Barry can continue to lead the line by himself.
Undoubtedly, he has improved immensely this season, but there are still aspects of his game that desperately require improvement.