Everton ‘in talks’ to sign £34m La Liga forward | OneFootball

Everton Eye Villarreal’s Thierno Barry to Bolster Forward Line

Everton’s intent to sharpen their attacking options this summer has taken a decisive step forward, with the club opening negotiations to sign Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, according to ESPN.

The 22-year-old forward enjoyed a breakout season in La Liga, scoring 11 goals and registering four assists across 35 appearances. Those numbers, under Marcelino García, were not just productive; they were indicative of a player maturing rapidly in a top European league.

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Everton’s interest, notably, includes the possibility of triggering Barry’s €40 million (£34 million) release clause. It’s a figure that speaks both to Barry’s perceived value and to Everton’s growing ambition after seasons of top-flight survival battles and financial restraint.

Barry’s Rise to Prominence

Barry’s path has been impressively swift. Signed from Swiss side FC Basel last summer for around €13.5 million, the Frenchman has quickly adapted to life in Spain, becoming a regular starter and one of Villarreal’s most reliable attacking outlets.

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Now representing France at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Barry’s stock is rising further as he helps guide his side into the semifinals — another marker of his upward trajectory.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

After seasons of clinging to Premier League status by their fingernails, the thought of Everton actively pursuing a forward like Thierno Barry is more than just exciting, it feels like a shift in intent.

This is the kind of profile they’ve lacked for years — young, quick, technically capable and clearly on the rise. Watching Barry last season in La Liga, you could see a player with intelligence in his movement and genuine purpose when on the ball. To think that Everton are in discussions to bring in someone of that quality says a lot about how Kevin Thelwell and the club are looking to evolve.

The €40 million clause is steep, but honestly, if that’s what it takes to secure a long-term forward option it’s something Everton should be all over it. They’ve spent poorly in the past but this feels different — strategic, not desperate. Barry could easily become a player they build around, not just plug a gap with.

And the fact that he’s shining at the Under-21 Euros? That’s a bonus. This is the sort of transfer that could get the whole fanbase behind the project again.