Multiple reports are indicating that Everton are in the final stages of bringing in French striker Thierno Barry in a deal from Villarreal.
The move has been among rumors for the club for several weeks now, although the player's inclusion in the French squad for the U21 Euros might have slowed the process, along with Everton's desire to wait until the start of the new fiscal year to spend larger sums of money.
The information coming from multiple places should allow Everton supporters to feel a little better that the move will actually take place, as Fabrizio Ramano tweeting about Everton moves being close only for the player to go elsewhere has become a bit of a running internet joke.
Still, until you see the photos of Barry in the new Everton home shirt and putting pen to paper, it will be difficult to be sure that the deal is truly done and dusted.
Barry, who has been discussed on this site a few times already this summer, has all the makings of a future star in world football. He scored 16 goals for club(s) and country last season in just over 2600 minutes, playing almost exclusively as the central striker.
Data over at DataMB compares his 2024/25 campaign to another striker that Everton supporters know well: Romelu Lukaku, who is still performing at a high level for Napoli and the Belgian national team, bagging 18 goals and adding 11 assists this past year.
If Barry, who will only turn 23 in October, turns into the type of goal scorer that Lukaku was during his peak as a Toffee (in four seasons, the Belgian netted 86 times, and added 26 assists in 164 matches), then the reported €40 million transfer fee will be well worth it.
Whatever "one step away" means, it feels like the deal could be done in the coming days. Be on the lookout here at PRT for all the analysis on the move once it's completed.