Everton intensify Thierno Barry approach

How intense does our interest need to get before we actually sign him?

Robert, don't get too excited - we're reportedly only preparing to intensify our approach. I presume this means that we're thought to be considering actually making an approach. Don't hold your breath!

Certainly fits the right age profile of the players we should be looking at but a £34M release clause seems a bit inflated to me for a striker who scored less goals than Beto last season.Possibly worth a punt if we could get that down to £20-£25M,but still a gamble for an untried striker in the Premier League.
He is a big lad though isn’t he?

Why would Villarreal sell him for less than the release clause when they've got Champions League football?

11 goals in 35 games ain't exactly terrific.

I would like to see how many Chermiti would get if playing the same amount of games.

Beto scored 12 in 35 games, so this guy isn't exactly an improvement on what we already have.

Note to the recruitment team: Please Keep Looking!

I like the look of Barry, wins a lot of headers but also has some genuine pace and good technique for a big lad. He definitely has the potential to outstrip Beto long term and right now could either replace him, play alongside him or possibly feature on the wing (he works hard and is a decent dribbler).

Would be an exciting signing and could be our next Lukaku.

Chermiti needs a season on loan. Would like to see how he did at a solid Championship club. If he gets 15 goals there, he either shows he's ready to step up for us or becomes an asset we could sell for £15M plus.

Biggest thing on this page for me is Gana not signed a deal yet — we claimed to have wrapped him up weeks ago.

He's a must-keep player, probably our best and most consistent last season.

Get this sorted out, we're acting like our usual amateur selves again.

I'd be surprised if we sign anyone before the end of June.

Once the PSR period concludes, then we can spend Friedkins money but I'd guess we will be too close for comfort after buying Charly to do more now.

"Beto, who scored 12 goals in 35 appearances this season, has largely blown hot and cold."

He's scored more than Thierno Barry this season

Beto's made 60 EPL appearances for Everton and scored 11 times.

Beto is a good lad and has the desire to work hard. He is effective when we play to his strengths & offers something different. He is not very skilled but his awkward moments can surprise defenders. Barry is more technical with pace and he could be a good signing. With regards to Chermiti, this year is critical for him to get more game time. A successful year in championship for him or any other league next season can help us get more from him in further seasons. We should also focus on 2 more productive wingers who can play well on both wings. That will make our attack more lethal.

Toffee tv had a view to re-sign dcl, buy Barry and loan Ferguson. Collectively low the age of the forward line, sell Beto and loan out Chermitit.

An interesting view from a financial perspective, but could leave an out of form front line.

"Barry has a release clause of €40M (£34M)...“It is likely that Everton would try to negotiate that figure down"

Is the Ghost Of Kenwright Past still handling our transfer dealings?

Anthony #8 "Biggest thing on this page for me is Gana not signed a deal yet"

Surprised nobody has suggested Davey is dithering again.

Yes, we need to get the Gana deal sorted but why do people assume it's the club that is dithering? Bit presumptuous isn't it? Maybe it's Gana taking his time?

Every time Everton take an age to tie up a deal, it's the club's fault or dithering Dave's.

Maybe that used to be the case and indeed maybe it still is, but as long as we're this side of July 1st, agents and players are going to be holding out for the best deals. It's not as if we can offer Champions League or mega salaries.

Ian, 13, I had to read that twice. My first thought was that Toffee TV was having a melt down or taking the pee from a different era, buy Gareth Barry and loan out Ferguson. Then brain kicked in!

On another general note, nowt to do with Ian's post, but to do with general stats. Rating how good our strikers are over the whole of last season isn't probably ideal. Considering we didn't get going til Moyes came back, a fairer view would be basing performances on the approximately second part of the season, but appreciate life's not like that...

For the record I like to judge with my eyes as stats can be made to point anything out and I liked Beto from when he first appeared.

He is determined, hardworking and willing to learn. we will have to go some to improve on him for less than 50m IMO.

Also I know we need more goals but what about a couple of decent fullbacks.

There seems to be a lot of talk but little action. Let's see if that changes on July 1st

On Barry, I know little of this player. I've never watched him, and I always prefer to go with the eyes.

But then I've never watched many Everton players before they've signed.

Let's hope the scouts have, if he ends up coming to Everton.

As for Gana, I think (don't know), the club has done it's part, if you read their official announcements. It seems as if it's now down to the player to decide what he wants, negotiate terms or move on.

I seriously hope he stays.

We all agree the club needs new blood and in that respect better players.
Certain players have done reasonably well over the last few seasons but remain too much of a gamble to be able to effectively improve things for the future.

If it's certain Jarrod will stay then Keane should go along with DCL who really had one decent season before his injuries and may become an issue again. Despite that I think he has limitations even if he was to stay.

Eric @ 14. Pmsl.
But then I thought. oh shit.

Just pay his release clause and move on to other targets.

Christy@21. Everton never make things simple. They will drag this out for weeks.

I believe we can’t do any transfers IN, until July 1st to ensure we don’t get caught up in this years PSR implications, which finishes on Jun 30th.
Of course unless we sell Branthwaite for £60m !!! before July 1st which will give us some spare cash to use.
Let’s hope there are some decent talented players still out there into July

Ray #15] Good point. Several years ago I was in conversation with an ex-EPL manager who told me exactly how difficult it is for most clubs to get transfers completed. That includes getting out-of-contract players to re-sign.

I keep reading that we can't buy anyone until 1 July…. why?

Why can't we buy them, sign them now< with a contracted date of 1 July?

Please, wake me up when we sign someone. Ben, I think only sly six clubs can buy whoever, and whenever, they want. One rule for the rich…

Sam @7:

“He could be our next Lukaku.”

I can only assume you must be on some kind of medication! A prospect, yes, if we can get him at the right price, but as yet he hasn't shown the instinct for goal that Lukaku has.

Ah well, what do I know!

Barry on as a sub at 73 minutes for France U21s but Georgia just equalized!

Are we intensifying our approach yet, or are we still preparing to intensify it?

Kevin, as it's the weekend, we're probably contemplating pondering the degree of intensity of that potential preparation.

Stu@27, ‘could' is doing heavy lifting here! He's not as good as Lukaku was at the same age but there are some similarities. Big, strong, fast, able to score different types of goals.

Barry has already scored 60 goals in 130 games which is decent, though mostly at a lower level. I think he'd be a good fit with Moyes, though I would have some doubts about spending too much of the transfer pot on a position I do not believe our weakest.

Kev, I think we're probably still thinking about preparing to intensify it…

But what the hell does anyone know when it comes to millionaires on and off the pitch looking to screw the max for their various selves at the expense of mere fans?

Sam @31,

It might not be our weakest, but it will always be the most important.

And it was the only position Moyes didn't get right first time around.

Well, Barry scores the winner for France U21s vs Georgia, in the 12th minute of added time, after his first goal – after 5 minutes of added time – was ruled out for offside.

His first goal for the U21s.

Jon, perhaps that's true, though few strikers can excel without service.

We'll have to see what the squad looks like by the end of the window but there are lots of holes to fill.

Everton have been told a £35M offer for Villarreal striker Thierno Barry will be accepted as they plan to make a big-money offer.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O'Rourke revealed what sources have told him about David Moyes's pursuit of a new star striker in the summer transfer window.

Thierno Barry in. Beto out to offset the cost.

Calvert-Lewin signs a new contract. Net outlay £14-15M.

Sorted.

:

Does anyone know what "preparing" a bid means? Does it involve hand wringing or is it mostly paperwork? It seems to be quite time-consuming.

Also, in the past our new players have never actually "signed" they usually "put pen to paper".

One thing I won't miss about the old ToffeeWeb.

Andy,

As I understand the way these things work: Doreen has to type up the terms of the bid on a typewriter, and while that is going on, the carrier pigeon is being trained for the journey by Big Dunc. The pigeon may or may not make it to the destination as intended.

As you can see, it's a convoluted process and this is why we don't tie these deals up quickly!

Andy #38, I believe there's chanting involved. Maybe burning some incense.

Brian #37, I hope not. Selling Beto and replacing him with an unproven youngster, no matter how talented, would be looney tunes IMO. Only if there's a second striker incoming would that make sense to me.

BTW, to all who haven't seen it yet, check out the club site compilation of the greatest Premier League goals at Goodison. Several I didn't remember (the blasts by Fernandes and Bily, Jo's debut goal) or had never seen (Barlow, Watson's chip). Very enjoyable.

Andy @38,

Also, in the past our new players have never actually "signed" they usually "put pen to paper".

Maybe they can't write. :-) Doesn't stop them getting immoral wages though. Funny Ol' Game, isn't it ?

Two wingers and one full back at least is more urgent than this guy.

We were on the up, weren't we?

"Surprised nobody has suggested Davey is dithering again"

Steady on, Eric lad… We haven't even got to that stage yet.

I'm beginning to worry about some on here with ideas about chanting, pigeons and typing out offers.

It is a well known fact that the biggest problem Everton have had with completing transfers is locating the fax paper which has, apparently, fouled up quite a few transfers over the Blue Bill period.

It's a problem that was thought to be sorted until some fool sold off that old sofa, which is why we have appointed several DoFs, Detector of Facsimiles, and occasionally the real thing.

If only we could sign the next Lukaku then we'd all be over the moon.

I still think that was the most excited I have felt after transfer window closed in the summer of 2013 even though we sold one of my favourites in Fellaini, bringing in Lukaku who had a massive ceiling after his season on loan at West Brom, and McCarthy and Barry, it was fantastic.

We still need 7 players, let's put it that way.

If we are serious on Thierno Barry, then we must get this over the line before another European club start coming in showing interest. There are slight concerns he could be another Moise Kean but I'd fully expect Moyes to be very diligent when it comes to his attitude before signing anyone.

Get this deal done ASAP if that's what we've decided on.

If we are also pursuing the Jack Grealish move on loan, surely talks must be some way down the line by now?

There will be much judgment on the Friedkin Group this summer so I'm just hoping they get this next 2 months spot on, so far I've not seen anything to tell me they will be able to substantially back us on the playing field… but let's see what happens next month.

Jim, ‘another Moise Kean' may not be the worst outcome. The Italian never clicked at Everton but I believe we still made a small profit on him and he was second top scorer in Serie A this season with 19 goals and is only 25.

Brian @37, that probably would be sensible business actually though it doesn't sound like Calvert-Lewin is staying.

Jim, I'd settle for signing another (20-year-old) Calvert-Lewin... and until it's disproven, we may yet have one in Chermiti?

Of whom, in my opinion, being sent out on loan is a waste. Now fit, he has to have a real Moyes style pre-season (not this 'Dyche Gaffers day' bollocks) and as many starts as can be arranged.

But – and there always is one – if there's not at least some semblance of decent regular service to your striker(s?), it's all time and money wasted.

My opinion, and just mine. I don't think it's totally on TFG. They are more strategic thinking.

They have a CEO and recruitment team in place. They will have been given the parameters and boundaries to discuss with the head coach. That is why they and other businesses employ these people.

TFG will step in if they see things going wrong. Or, take the plaudits if it goes right.

Let's see what the transfer window throws up. It's all guess work that none of us can guess.

Barry's much more of a goal box poacher than Beto – who prefers to run onto balls from outside the box; we need both styles to mix up games.

I wouldn't mind seeing what a fit Calvert-Lewin could do as a kind of Barry sideman in a two-man attack but that's not going to happen.

All the transfer talk is becoming increasingly tedious. Gone are the days when a player is identified and then quickly signed. So much of the current speculation is agent and media led and has little basis in truth.

We don't have huge amounts of money. We do have priorities though so the sequence of acquisitions is critical. Winger(s) and full backs first. Ascertain if Calvert-Lewin is staying or going. Keane too. Then delve wider.

Still puzzled by the goalie situation. Virginia hardly put a foot wrong when deputising. He was a safe and relatively cheap option. If Pickford picks up an injury, currently we are stuffed. Harry Tyrer the only option. If you believe the press we are considering a range of elderly has beens as our back up keeper.

Right winger. Right back. 2nd left back. Get them in quickly and see what money is left...and do NOT trade Branthwaite to raise funds.

Me, I'm intensifying my lack of interest in pointless speculation.

Obviously, Gana will sign a new contract, as will Seamus.

Obviously, Calvert-Lewin and Keane will go.

Obviously, Richarlison will come back to us on loan.

Er, okay… maybe the last one wasn't totally obvious.

Our business is only going to gather intensity when the new financial year starts from 1st July, until then, lots of speculation, some founded some agent speak, but nothing happening.
I worry that due to our financial constraints a lot of our business will be last minute ( waiting for City to concede can’t sell Grealish, teams agreeing to loans for players they want shut of).
I hope I’m wrong because the number of squad changes will need a good pre season bedding in.
If we really want Barry, McAtee etc we need to get our business done early July.
Offer Gana 2 years and get on with it, before somebody else does.
Given the money City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea are already spending they must have to address PSR and there must be some decent players coming available.

Ben #25, that's certainly feasible.

Some club somewhere is going to pick up the bargain of the summer window by signing Jonathon David on a free.

25 years old, 31 goals and 15 assists last season for Lille, 7 goals in the Champions League, 2 in the qualifiers.

For a free I hope Everton are all over this.

Maybe I'd be in the minority but, unless it would be on loan, I wouldn't really want to go back in for Richarlison.

I loved him when he was here but c'mon people, his best days are behind him now, plus that injury record… it's too much, we need to be treading down a new path now.

Jim, I think a loan for Richarlison could be a good move too. It's so hard to judge because of injuries etc and we'd need to have other players available to cover if it didn't work out. But could be a risk worth taking.

I wouldn't mind Broja back on loan either to be honest.

Jim (55),

I didn't think Richarlison's best days were much cop the first time he was here so I'd swerve him for a second go!

Rian 54. Apparently a few teams are after him.

Three Serie A clubs are interested in the forward. Juventus are the current favourites ahead of Napoli and Inter Milan while Premier League duo Tottenham and West Ham have shown an interest, along with Newcastle.

We are bottom of the list on this one.

Brian mate, we’d all love Jonathan David but there is no way in hell we could get him. He will now have his pick of champions league teams unfortunately, good player.

I’m not giving up on Barry and just hope we are the only ones who are prepared to pay his full release clause because that is sure as shit the only way we’ll get him.

Richy on loan might actually be our best quality opportunity this summer, as sad as that is.

I didn't mind Richarlison. He sulked, he often had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

But he gave a shit and that iconic image of him picking up that blue flare waving it at the Gwladys Street and hurling it towards St Luke's still makes me smile.

As did his lap of appreciation to the Evertonians after our 3-2 win when one of the Tottenham staff was trying to get him off the pitch. He was having none of it.

But on a serious note, should we re-sign him? I would say no. Time to move on.

Brian 54, David has already said publicly that he would only go to a Champions League club. And as Steve says, he can sit back in a comfy chair and just watch the huge offers roll in. We won't be in the picture.

Danny and Robert, Richarlison on loan would certainly be fun. We love it, he'd love it, it would make a big splash. But the fact is, he's just not that productive a player.

I watched his left-foot bicycle kick on the club site compilation of the greatest goals at Goodison, and I felt that familiar pang of affection. But there simply weren't enough of those moments.

Ian (#52);

Do you really think that the four clubs you mentioned would ever face PSR charges? Possibly, but do you remember the outcome last time one of them was charged, how many years ago!?!

Don't worry they said, judgement will be known in autumn, just didn't say which autumn while we all thought between summer and winter.

Mike # 61, all very fair. But still. There aren't loads of loan option players at his level - so whilst he's not going to get us into the big league, he can certainly help us on our journey to the top 10. All depends on financials and injuries etc but might be worth a gamble.

No argument there, Robert.

It's just that we have a limited number of valuable loan slots available, and I'm not sure Richarlison would even be considered were it not for his history with us.

We should have sorted most of our business out by now – not jumping from one 6ft-4in striker to another to another. Business should have been agreed.

If not, we will probably only have a small squad for pre-season and will waste the first 8 games bedding people in.

Perhaps we have at least 3 already signed by the first week of July... that's not the Everton way, sadly.

Agree with some guys above re Gana. Stop dicking about and get him signed… or we will be weak in defensive midfield.

We seriously need 6 players minimum and then 3 loaners. I hope we have got good negotiators in place as it's a big season ahead.

Remember the song – Wake Me Up When September Ends? June doesn't rhyme with September, nor have enough syllables for the song, but still, I think I'll apply it here.

Another of my favourite songs — Nothing Means Nothing by Immaculate Fools also applies.

Paul, surely there's a song somewhere that uses 'The end of June can never come too soon'?????

On the question of Richarlison, I really liked him (except for his ruling body language, which I think was a downer for some of the other players. My main question is: "Would he fit in with a Moyes strategy?"

My gut feel tells me 'No'. But it's a difficult one!

Steve # 65,

It is all very well saying we should have done business by now, but the problem is, when they say multiple clubs want one of their players, they will just sit back and see who is willing to pay the most.

The figure that clubs offer is usually a starting amount, and that is before you meet with a player's agent to discuss the players demands.

Very, very few Premier League clubs have done any business yet.

We've already signed Alcaraz.

I expect to see a little flurry of activity over next couple of days, with some verbal deals becoming official.

I'd agree with that ,Colin.

I don't like to get too involved with speculation until it's real but, from what I'm reading, I think the Barry deal has legs.

We can't predict, so wait and see.

Still no decision on Calvert-Lewin or Gana? Or have I missed something?

Jim and Dave agreed, I don't want Richarlison anywhere near Everton.

I also want Dominic Calvert-Lewin gone ASAP so we can stop debating whether he is good enough — cos, for me, he isn't.

Robert @ 63, I agree that Richarlison would be worth considering on loan.

Richarlison has 64 goals and 24 assists across 243 league appearances. Granted he has had injuries over the last 2 seasons — but so do the majority of players at Spurs it seems. Their medical department needs a revamp.

He is higher quality than McNeil and Harrison — actually, he is better than our entire squad with the exception of Ndiaye.

So I am not sure where the vehemence comes from for a player who was always loyal, committed and hard-working? Perhaps players should never go back because it rarely works, but he would settle in quickly.

Steve @ 65, our first full-time CEO in 2 years started 12 May, Nick Hammond just joined to deal with transfers and James Smith is serving his notice at City before he takes a recruitment role with us. We are definitely behind where we would want to be with a massive summer ahead.

But, not sure what could have been done to speed up progress. Thelwell and Purdy had to serve out their contracts. They may have done a lot of groundwork, but the reality is a new team has its own ideas.

I think Richy on loan (no option to buy though!) would be astute business and allow us to strengthen elsewhere. With the exception of a few quality targets who are potentially gettable for us (such as our man Barry here), there is a queue of clubs also wanting them, so it drags on.

Richy is a bit of an injury risk but as Steve Brown rightly points out, its weird to see any kind of vitriol or disdain for Richy given that he ran through walls for us. A cult hero, a grafter and a blue. It could work for all parties and springboard Richy back into contention for Brazil and a decent move if he does well.

Additionally I believe it to be a good idea because if Beto is having another hot streak, we can play him wide right or left. Job done.

Agreed Steve. Depends on the terms of the deal.

The really sad thing is that given our status and resources and the competitive market we will likely get none of the players that we want and who would suit us best.

Life is a bitch during the window. I'll try to close the window until it's over.

Admittedly I’ve not seen anything of this guy but I’m getting a whole Danjuma vibe.
Hope not.
UTFT

@10 Matthew

It doesn't mat the r how many goals either scored. As the strikers job in a David Moyes team is not to score goals.

His top league scorer in his zPremier League career is as follows:

01-02 - 6 goals
02-03 - 11 goals
03-04 - 9 goals
04-05 - 11 goals
05-06 - 10 goals
06-07 - 11 goals
07-08 - 15 goals
08-09 - 8 goals
09-10 - 13 goals
10-11 - 9 goals
11-12 - 9 goals
12-13 - 11 goals
13-14 - 17 goals
16-17 - 15 goals
17-18 - 11 goals
19-20 - 10 goals
20-21 - 10 goals
21-22 - 12 goals
22-23 - 6 goals
23-24 - 16 goals

So only twice in a lengthy career has he had a player getting more than 15 Premier League goals in a season. And he's never had one get over 20 league goals.

20 seasons averaging a top scorer with between 10 and 11 goals.

So I would anticipate if Barry wishes to be at very best, an 11 goal a season striker in the Premier League then this is the move for him.

It's the next Richarlison we should be looking for really. A versatile forward who can play across the front line and score goals from any position. I'm not sure Thierno Barry is quite that, maybe he could play out wide as he certainly works hard and is a decent dribbler but it's not ideal for him.

I have a feeling Thomas Frank might like the look of Richarlison but if he were available on good loan terms we should definitely be in the mix. 5 goals and 2 assists in 900 minutes last season shows he can still make an impact when on the pitch.

Tommy,

I would expect Barry to start life with us at around 11 goals or thereabouts. At 22, he could certainly improve from there but equally it wouldn't be a huge surprise if that turned out to be his level.

The stats on Moyes's strikers are sobering. He's spent big on a few strikers over the years too. Yakubu, Johnson, Beattie, Haller and Scamacca would all be £40M to £65M strikers now.

And you are right too that his conservative set-up isn't conducive to big scoring seasons under more gung-ho managers.

However, in fairness, he's often been over-performing with a poor to average side too, and whilst more gung-ho is fun, it often leads to relegation.

For me, it's more important that we have variety in attack (especially wing forwards) rather than a big new striker. I think that is what will really help the Goals For column.

I've seen comments we're refusing to meet the asking price for Barry.

Any others hearing this?

Not seeing that anywhere yet, Murph.

I think a number of things are true and as a result we will see a mixed bag of replacements for the coming season.

1. Truth is that, due to PSR limitations and probable overall cost, TFG are working to a limited budget.

2. As a result, we will see a few good signings, some loans, and some short-term buys or freebies.

3. Some players will be offered short-term contract extensions because we cannot afford replacements this year. It is likely that some of the current impasse with Calvert-Lewin and Gana are in part a reflection of this.

4. As a result of the above we are likely to keep a few aging players in our squad and perhaps pick up similar trying to squeeze out one more good season from them.

5. Experience and pragmatism over rising talent. It's all down to the money and the ridiculous reality of so many in the squad ending contracts at the same time.

Like it or not, that's the way it is. It might take 2 or 3 years to get the team right but, as it stands, we really don't have many options. So let's get the best mix we can.

I hate reality...

Come on Fenerbache, don't fuck about.

Derek

Firstly, isn't the phrase "has-beens"?

Secondly, making those personal remarks about the guy is wild speculation surely?

Let's give the guy a chance if and when he signs rather than making spurious claims about his perceived proclivities.

We seem to be holding on to our intensity for quite some time. It feels like the build up to a sneeze at the moment.

In the meantime, while we await things to happen, there are a few other Premier League deals since I last bothered listing a few. Still very early days...

Incomings:

Aston Villa: bought 19-year-old Turkish CB Ozcan for €7.00M

Bournemouth: bought French LB Truffert for €13.50M (we were linked in January) to replace the outgoing Kerkez.

Brentford: taken up the option on 20 year old Italian RB Kayode for €17.00M - and bought Kellerher from the RS for €13.50M to replace the outgoing Flekken.

Brighton: bought 21-year-old CB Coppola from Verona for €11.00M to add to 18-year-old striker Kostoulas from Olympiakos for €35.00 M, 18-year-old wingers Watson for €12.00M and Do-yun Woon for €2.00M.

Burnley: converted a few loans to permanent deals for about €40.00M.

Chelsea: finalised pre-agreed deals for Ecuadorian playmaker Paez (18) €10.00M and the new Neymar – Estevao (18) for €34.00M.

Liverpool: bought Wirtz and Frimpong and a 20-year-old Hungarian goalie called Pucsi.

Man Utd: bought Cunha for €74.50m and 18-year-old Paraguayan LB Leon for about €7.00m.

Spurs: taken up the option to buy talented 20-year-old French striker Tel from Bayern for €35.00M, and the option on Austrian CB Danso for €25.00M - and finalised the pre-agreed deal for 18-year-old Croatian CB Vuskovic for €11.00M.

West Ham: taken up the option to buy CB Todibo for €40.00M

Outgoings: KDB has gone to Napoli and Holgate and Crellin have left Everton for good.

If this is how we intensify our approach for a player then I'd hate to see how long it takes if we aren't sure.

Dan@88.Barry is on U21 duty with France. So any deal will only get done once the tournament finishes or France go out.