Everton Hill Dickinson
Everton is reportedly keen on securing the services of Thierno Barry, the France Under-21 forward currently playing for Villarreal. As the summer transfer window progresses, Everton’s manager, David Moyes, is looking to strengthen his attacking options, particularly with the impending departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Barry, who has a release clause of approximately £34 million, has caught the attention of the Merseyside club. However, Villarreal’s stance suggests they are in a strong negotiating position.
Fernando Roig Nogueroles said: “We want the player, and if he were to leave, it would have to be, if not for the release clause, something very close to it. But at the moment, we have no proof of that, and we’re counting on Barry for next season.”
On the interest of clubs in several of his key players, Nogueroles added: “You should never be closed off, and you should always listen. It’s another matter if an agreement isn’t reached, or if the negotiations aren’t enough, and no matter how much a player’s will is, sometimes you have to say no. But hey, you always have to listen, and you always have to negotiate.”
He further stated: “These aren’t real estate deals. What you’re selling here is a person with a strong will. You don’t always reach an agreement, and sometimes you have to say no, but you always have to listen and negotiate. We want the player, and if he were to leave, it would have to be, if not for the release clause, something very close to it. If not, he won’t leave.”
Barry made a significant impact in his debut season in La Liga, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists. His move from Swiss side FC Basel was initially seen as a gamble by Villarreal, but the forward has proven his worth. As Everton prepares for a major summer rebuild and a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Barry’s potential addition could be pivotal. The club is exploring the possibility of negotiating a lower fee than his release clause, but Villarreal’s firm stance suggests that any deal will need to be close to the stipulated amount.
Everton’s interest in Barry aligns with their broader strategy to revamp their squad, especially in light of regulatory challenges and the need to bolster their attacking lineup. The new football financial year, commencing soon, marks an important phase for Everton as they aim to navigate away from past financial constraints. Barry’s recent participation in the U21 Euros, which concluded with France’s semi-final exit, has removed another potential hurdle in the transfer process.
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