Everton chasing £28m star who has a “hint of Haaland”, he’s a bigger talent than Barry – opinion

A New Dawn for Everton On and Off the Pitch

Everton are ushering in a fresh chapter, both in their home and their squad. After bidding farewell to Goodison Park—their home since 1892—the Toffees will now play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Their inaugural match there will be a pre-season friendly against Roma on 9 August, followed by their first Premier League home game against Brighton & Hove Albion two weeks later.

On the personnel front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has left as a free agent after 273 appearances, but the club received a major boost with Jarrad Branthwaite signing a new five-year deal. Now, attention turns to reinforcements—could their first summer signing be just around the corner?

Everton Eyeing Attacking Reinforcements

With Calvert-Lewin gone, Everton are reportedly close to signing Villarreal striker Thierno Barry for £27.5m, according to Mark Douglas of the i Paper. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who joined Villarreal from Basel just last year, netted 11 La Liga goals last season. Analyst Beth Limb highlights his physical dominance and intelligent movement, making him an intriguing prospect.

However, Barry isn’t the only target. Football Insider reports that Everton are also keen on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, with the Seagulls open to a permanent sale at £28m. Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and several European clubs are also monitoring the situation.

Ferguson’s stock has fallen after a disastrous loan at West Ham, where he managed just eight appearances (one start) and 151 minutes. But could a move to Merseyside reignite his career?

Why Ferguson Could Be the Smarter Gamble

Two years ago, Ferguson was among Europe’s brightest prospects—his hat-trick against Newcastle made him the fourth-youngest Premier League player to achieve the feat. Gary Lineker even compared him to Erling Haaland.

However, injuries and poor form have stalled his progress, with just three club goals since that breakout season. Despite this, scouts like Jacek Kulig still consider him a “big talent” at just 20 years old.

Ferguson vs. Barry: The Stats

(Source: Transfermarkt)

While Barry’s numbers are stronger, Ferguson has more top-flight experience. Barry only broke through in the Swiss league before moving to La Liga, whereas Ferguson has already proven himself in the Premier League and on the international stage (five goals for Ireland).

Verdict: Ferguson’s higher ceiling makes him the more exciting gamble—if Everton can unlock his potential, he could be a game-changer. Is he worth the risk? Absolutely.