Senior Everton player eyed up by PL rivals, Koeman ready to sell – report
By Danny Wright
West Brom are eyeing up a move for Everton midfielder Gareth Barry, according to a report.
The Mirror claims that Baggies boss Tony Pulis is eager to bring the 36-year-old to the Hawthorns following Darren Fletcher’s free transfer to Stoke.
It is understood that Ronald Koeman is ready to sell the senior Toffees player, and will consider any offer that is made for him this summer.
Everton’s Premier League rivals West Brom have brought in two players during the summer transfer window, but are clearly still keen to further bolster their ranks.
The report says that the large amount of midfield competition at Goodison Park could lead to Barry’s exit with Morgan Schneiderlin, Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies, James McCarthy and Davy Klaassen on the books.
After spells with Aston Villa and Manchester City, Barry arrived at Everton in 2013 on an initial loan deal which was made permanent a year later.
Despite his age, the midfield enforcer still managed to earn 33 appearances in the Premier League last season, scoring twice – with one of them coming against West Brom in a 2-1 win last August.
Football Insider Verdict
With the amount of new arrivals at Goodison Park, several players may have to be shifted on to either balance the books or to let them stay in first team football. Barry wouldn’t exactly be the player that West Brom fans were hoping for. They’ve been linked to Ignacio Camacho and William Carvalho in recent weeks, so there’s no doubt that the Hawthorns faithful would see Barry as a step down. There is a big void to fill following Fletcher’s departure. Even though the Baggies are well-stocked in midfield, they need a leader, and Barry’s experience at the top level, and in West Midlands football, could prove invaluable to Pulis’ side next season.
In other Everton news, Kevin Campbell has hailed Koeman’s recruitment drive after this latest signing was made.
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