Villarreal striker Thierno Barry is on the verge of signing for Everton.
After weeks of speculation, Thierno Barry is closing in on a move to Everton in a deal believed to be worth around £34m.
Thierno Barry is hot property after coming off the back of a 19-goal season, with David Moyes’ former club West Ham United among those interested.
But, it’s Everton who are poised to land his signature and he is expected to feature in the first pre-season friendly against Accrington Stanley on July 15.
The France under-21 international will also be able to wear his favourite shirt number after a recent development at Finch Farm.
Thierno Barry could be handed the number nine shirt at Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced his Everton departure last week, ending a nine-year stay on Merseyside.
That, of course, has made the number nine shirt available, and there is an expectancy that Barry will be handed it.
The Frenchman donned number 15 last term, with Inter Milan loanee Tajon Buchanan taking the famous digit.
Barry did wear the nine during his two seasons at Basel, so clearly that’d be his preference at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Barry stats 2024/25
Barry actually started the 2024/25 season at Swiss side Basel, netting a remarkable eight goals in just four games.
That prompted Villarreal to snap up his signature for around £13m, and he enjoyed a really productive debut season in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
- 25 La Liga starts
- 11 goals
- 4 assists
FBref data suggest he is of a similar profile to Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Barry celebrated his 22nd birthday last October, so there is still so much room to develop, and under Moyes, he has the promise to become one of the best in the Premier League.
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