Everton's Peter Crouch?
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport
Thierno Barryâs 6ft 5in frame makes him a huge threat in the air and he ranked second of all forwards in Europeâs major leagues (and top of anyone in La Liga) for aerial duel success in 2024-25, winning 66.7% of his 153 challenges (minimum 100 aerial duels).
It is a facet of Barryâs game that has undoubtedly attracted Everton boss David Moyes, whose sides typically get lots of crosses into the box.
The Toffees ranked seventh for open-play crosses in the Premier League in 2025-25, although they struggled to convert crosses into goals, scoring just three times from such situations â the fewest of any club other than Chelsea (2).
get involved
Get Involved - do Everton need more attacking signings?
WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
What do you think Everton fans?
Would the arrival of Thierno Barry be enough to supplement the club's current attacking resources, or do you need more signings before the end of the summer transfer window?
Get in touch via WhatsApp or text using the contact details above.
From fifth tier of French football to Everton?
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport
A Premier League move at the age of 22 would cement Thierno Barryâs rapid rise in European football in recent seasons.
Only three years ago, he completed his first season of senior football in Franceâs fifth tier before moving to Belgian second-tier side Beveren in July 2022.
A haul of 20 goals in 28 starts was enough to earn a move to Swiss Super League side Basel a year later and he subsequently finished as the clubâs top scorer on 12 goals in his first campaign of top-flight football.
A flurry of eight goals in the first four matches of 2024-25 convinced Villarreal to pay 15m euros [£12.9m] for his services in August.
The 6ft 5in striker was an instant success, scoring 11 goals to help the Yellow Submarine finish fifth with their highest points tally in 17 years and qualify for the Champions League.
Everton eye Barry after Calvert-Lewin & Broja departures
Should Everton complete a deal for Villarreal's Thierno Barry, the France striker would add to the club's attacking resources after Dominic Calvert-Lewin left at the end of his contract.
Forward Armando Broja also exited when his loan ended, returning to Chelsea without the deal being made permanent.
Barry was born in Lyon and left French club Sochaux aged 19 to play in the Belgian second division with Beveren.
The following season he moved to Swiss Super League club Basel, before joining Villarreal in August 2024 in a deal worth about £13m.
Villarreal striker Barry set for Everton medical
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer
Everton are close to ending their striker search with Villarreal's Thierno Barry expected to fly into Merseyside for a medical before completing a £27m deal.
The formalities are not completed yet, but the move is progressing with manager David Moyes ready to clinch Everton's biggest deal of the summer so far.
Barry had a £34.5m release clause in his Villarreal contract, but Everton expect to pay a lower fee for the 22-year-old, who scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 38 games last season as the Spanish club finished fifth in La Liga to qualify for the Champions League.
get involved
Get Involved - 'Very concerned' Fulham fan
Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Laura, London: Fulham fan here and very concerned about being the only club without a signing on the 8:55 post of deals done so far. Think part of our drop off at the end of last season was a lack of squad depth - fingers crossed we can get some reinforcements soon and not leave it to a mad scramble on deadline day!
Takai's achievements
Tottenham's new signing Kota Takai is also a proven winner, having helped Frontale to two trophies during his short time at the club.
He was part of the Frontale team that claimed the 2023 Emperor's Cup, winning the final 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Kashiwa Reysol.
The 20-year-old defender also helped his side claim the Japanese Super Cup in 2024, beating 2023 J-League champions Vissel Kobe 1-0 in the annual match between the Emperor's Cup and J-League winners.
He was also named as the J-League's best young player.
Who is Spurs signing Kota Takai?
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport
So Spurs have their third summer signing (if you include Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel...) so let's take a look at what they're getting.
Takai has a wealth of experience despite being just 20-years-old.
He played the first of his 77 senior games in the Asian equivalent of the Champions League at just 17.
He featured at the 2024 Olympic Games for Japan and has since won four senior caps.
He is athletic, comfortable on the ball and has an eye for a pass â Takai completed almost 2,000 passes in the J-League since the start of last season with an 88% success rate, which ranks him 15th among all defenders.
Recap - Forest's Elanga set for £55m move to Newcastle?
In case you are just joining us, the main news of the morning has been Newcastle's move for Nottingham Forest's Sweden winger Anthony Elanga.
The two clubs have agreed a £55m fee for the 23-year-old former Manchester United player.
Stick with us as we look into the proposed deal in more detail.