What $35 Million-Plus Adapting Striker Thierno Barry Gives Everton

There will be a different feel to Everton when the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off. As well as moving into a new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, the Merseyside club will have a new striker to call upon. Thierno Barry, the French international bought from Villarreal in a €30 million ($35 million) to €35 million ($41 million) deal plus add-ons earlier this month, is expected to compete for a starting berth.

Everton has lacked in the forward department over the past eight years, with Richarlison arguably the only success story since Romelu Lukaku left in 2017. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (now a free agent), Beto, Neil Maupay, Moise Kean, and Cenk Tosun are among those who have lacked consistency, battled with injuries, or not met the required standard.

Barry has a recognizable surname to endear the supporter base, especially if their next “Baz” (following the division’s most experienced-ever Gareth Barry) hits the ground running with a few goals. He scored a decent 11 from 35 league appearances at Villarreal last campaign after leaving Basel for eastern Spain in 2024. As an offensive option, the 22-year-old is quick and a threat in the six-yard box, connecting his head and long limbs with loose balls to good effect.

Will Everton Finally Hit The Jackpot With Barry?

Barry’s integration at Everton is already underway, arriving from the bench for his first minutes as a Toffee in a 0-3 friendly defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday. Only the relegated teams (Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton) tallied fewer goals than Everton in 2024/25, so there’s already pressure on him to deliver. He will also likely require better service from his teammates; Statmuse says Everton was also fourth-lowest in chances created, though it did improve after coach David Moyes took over in January. Might another prospective addition, Malick Fofana, help remedy that?

Lyon-born Barry began his professional career with Sochaux before moving to Belgium, Switzerland, and Villarreal—the latter where he played under experienced coach Marcelino. He didn’t spend more than a year with any of those mentioned clubs, meaning he’s progressed swiftly. Having featured for France’s Under-21s, he’s without a senior appearance—no slight on him given Les Bleus’ embarrassment of riches at the top of the field.

Aware of his 6-foot-4 frontman’s physical attributes and areas to improve—such as ensuring he stays onside—Marcelino said about Barry (Spanish) last October, “He’s sometimes anxious about scoring. In his head, all he thinks about is the goal. He needs a little more composure. He gives the team a lot, testing the opposition. He shoots five or six times per game.” The ambition is there from a player with strong sporting influences—Barry’s father, Amadou Korka Barry, was a basketball player for Guinea.

The Yellow Submarine is a smart place from which to buy. Considering Villarreal is a small town, the soccer club constantly punches above its weight. Alongside a comprehensive domestic academy, it has an eye for talent whom it can develop within one of Europe’s most technical leagues. The last notable striker to leave the Estadio de la Cerámica for the Premier League was Nicolas Jackson, who has gone through ups and downs at Chelsea.

Overall, Everton has done well to attract a forward who’s made an impact in another top European league. Have the Merseysiders found someone prolific to sharpen their sometimes blunt attack? There’s certainly hope with Barry’s all-action style, yet the jury remains out for a talent who must refine facets of his exciting game in such a competitive division.