Everton have turned their attentions to the Villarreal striker Thierno Barry as David Moyes attempts to improve his forward options for next season.
Barry scored 11 goals in La Liga last season and 19 overall as Villarreal qualified for the Champions League. The France under-21 international is understood to have a release clause of €40m (£34m) in his contract with the Spanish club but Everton would hope to sign the 22-year-old for less. Barry is currently on international duty at the European Under-21 Championship.
Moyes’s need to upgrade Everton’s attack is pressing with the club having missed out on Liam Delap and declined to take up an option to sign Armando Broja on a permanent deal from Chelsea, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected to leave on a free transfer this summer. Calvert-Lewin’s departure would leave only Beto and the unproven Youssef Chermiti as central striking options.
Meanwhile, Brighton have signed Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos for a reported £29.8m (€35m) fee. The 18-year-old, who scored seven goals in 22 games as Olympiakos won a record-extending 48th domestic title last season, has signed a five-year contract.
“He wants to play in the Premier League and we are excited about what he can bring to the team,” said Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hürzeler. “He will give us different attacking options and we’re looking forward to helping him adapt to his new environment.”
James Milner has agreed a one-year contract extension with Brighton as the 39-year-old eyes the all-time record for appearances in the Premier League.
Milner, who made his Premier League debut as a 16-year-old for Leeds United in 2002, was restricted to four league appearances last season by injury, taking his overall tally to 638 Premier League games. The former Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Newcastle and England man, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in January, now has the chance to overhaul Gareth Barry’s record of 653 Premier League games.
“I’m really pleased we will have James with us again this season,” said Hürzeler. “He’s a great guy to have in our environment, who is always there for me and the team. I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
