Everton set to make ‘crucial’ signing – ‘people I trust rate him highly’
Everton are on the verge of completing their second signing of the transfer window with an announcement expected imminently.
The Toffees are in the midst of a complete squad revamp and have spent much of the first half of the summer trying to tie out-of-contract players down to new deals.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Idrissa Gueye, and Michael Keane are just three of those who have committed their long-term future to the Merseyside club.
David Moyes’ side have completed one signing already, making Charly Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo a permanent deal.
Now, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has disclosed that his old club are on the verge of making a “crucial” signing.
Thierno Barry’s ‘plane has landed’ ahead of Everton move
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed that Thierno Barry’s move to Everton is all but done, with the 22-year-old undergoing his medical after arriving in England.
Barry is set to make the switch from Villarreal for a reported £27.5million, after scoring 11 goals in La Liga last season.
Wyness insists that the France under-21 international is “highly-rated” by a lot of people that he trusts.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The deal is a bit further in advance now. Apparently, his plane has landed and he’s having his medical, so I think we’re in pretty safe territory to say it should be getting done, unless the medical throws up some unexpected news.
“It can happen. I’ve seen knee issues or different things happen in a medical, so it’s never done until it’s done.
“I believe the actual number is about £27.5m, which is a big chunk out of the Everton transfer fee, but look, we’re talking about a striker, which of course is a crucial part of the squad. We know that Calvert-Lewin is going to be going, so Everton need that replacement.
“It looks like Everton are going to have Beto on the bench as a good backup. Barry is still unproven; he’s only 23, so it’s not really a big amount of money, but it is a chunk out of the Everton transfer budget.
“Perhaps people might have thought they’d be going somewhere around the 50m to 60m mark, for more of a proven striker, but obviously Moyes sees something in this kid at Villarreal.
“He played at the under-21 Euros for France. I did watch him in those games. He showed some touches. Didn’t shine by any means, but nevertheless there’s obviously something in him and a lot of people that I trust rate him highly. So let’s just see if he can do something.
“If you get a striker at that age for that sort of price, then nobody’s going to complain. Also, if he fails, it isn’t that big of a matter. So overall, think I’ll trust David Moyes’ judgement. I’ve worked with him on many transfers, and I trust his judgment, particularly on strikers. I think he’s very good.”
‘Leeds accelerate Beto plan after Everton deal agreed’
Meanwhile, Leeds United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Beto’s situation at Everton, amid the news that the Toffees have agreed a deal to sign Barry from Villarreal.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that Moyes is set to make a decision about the 27-year-old’s future.
There is a growing feeling that Beto could be allowed to leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer, placing a number of interested clubs on alert.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in May that Beto is on Leeds’ shortlist of strikers as they aim to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad with attacking reinforcements.
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