Earlier this month, Villarreal sold Alexander Sorloth to Atletico Madrid for around €35 ​​million. With that money, they managed to sign Ayoze Perez for just €4 million, although the club still has the idea of ​​signing another attacker who would serve more as a backup for the Norwegian striker.

Borja Mayoral was considered until concerns arose over his recent knee injury, while there were also links with Youssoufa Moukoko and David Datro Fofana. Villarreal officials have now settled on Thierno Barry as their main target and negotiations with FC Basel are already underway, Florian Plettenburg revealed.

🚨🟡 Excluded | FC Villarreal now pushes for the signing of Thierno Barry ✔️

Concrete negotiations with FC Basel about a permanent contract are underway!

Villarreal is currently the top favorite to sign the 21-year-old striker. But Bournemouth also has a concrete offer.

Monaco, Freiburg and… pic.twitter.com/x40nAeE9hG

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) 16 August 2024

AFC Bournemouth have also made a bid for Barry, but Villarreal are currently the frontrunners in the race for his signature. The 21-year-old has scored five goals in three Super League games so far this season, up from 12 the previous season.

A younger signing would certainly make sense for Villarreal and Barry would be the latest U23 player to join Marcelino Garcia Toral’s squad, so if they can pull off this deal it would be a very smart move.