Exclusive: Everton Line Up £20m Move for Villarreal Striker Thierno Barry

Everton are lining up a big for Villareal striker Thierno Barry, SportsBoom can reveal.

Toffees’ boss David Moyes has been forced to shift to his focus to Barry after missing out on the signing of Ipswich Town hitman Liam Delap.

Everton were one of a number of clubs chasing Delap, but Chelsea have now won the race to sign the sought-after England Under-21 international.

Delap, son of the former Southampton, Derby County and Stoke City defender Rory, impressed for the Tractor Boys this season with 12 goals in 40 games.

But relegation to the Championship saw Everton and Chelsea quickly join the race to try and sign the player.

And with the Blues’ having won that race, Moyes knows he needs an experienced striker to partner Beto up front.

Everton are also understood to have been tracking Stuttgart’s 23-year-old striker Nick Woltemade, with Moyes keen to sign a young, hungry hitman to bolster is firepower for next season.

NUMBER ONE TARGET

However, 22-year-old Barry is believed to be Moyes’ number one target having bagged 16 goals in 40 games for Villareal this season.

The Yellow Submarines finished fifth this season in the Spanish Primera Liga, a staggering 18 points being champions Barcelona.

And SportsBoom understands the Spanish club are willing to sell the striker if the price is right.

Barry only joined the club in August last season on a five-year deal, but if Everton can meet Villareal’s asking price – and personal terms can be agreed – then the France Under-21 international could be heading to Merseyside and the chance to play in the Premier League. 

Barry is valued at around £20million, and with Everton believed to have been happy to splash out £30million for Delap’s release clause, then a deal could prove to be a financial blessing.

And with a string of out-of-contract players set to leave this summer, Moyes hopes to have a decent transfer pot available to do some new business in the market.