Everton begin work on signing £30m goal machine

Everton feel like they have something in Thierno Barry, even if the French striker is raw and inconsistent.

But he’s talented all right, and scored eight times across his maiden campaign in England, picked by David Moyes to front the system last summer and signing from Villarreal for a £27m fee.

Since January, Barry scored in only two Premier League matches, and he played in every one. There is no question that he lacks the poise and precision that Everton need to ascend to the next level and mount an actual European charge.

But Everton have made gains under Moyes’ wing, even if it feels like they have regressed of late, stumbling on the last lap of the 2025/26 marathon, sinking down into 13th place.

Everton need a reliable centre-forward, someone who can drive them forward. Barry may yet develop into that man, but whether he will do so at the Hill Dickinson is another question entirely.

Everton begin work on signing Barry replacement

The Times’ Paul Joyce has revealed that Everton have been approached by RB Leipzig, the German side eager to sign Barry this summer.

This might seem far-fetched, but the 22-year-old hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rip-roaring campaign, and if Leipzig offer a substantial fee, it could tempt the Friedkin Group to part ways.

Of course, Everton would need to find a suitable replacement. Beto isn’t convincing, and landing a new number nine has emerged as a priority for the Toffees in any case over the past several months.

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have started work on a deal for Japan striker Ayase Ueda, who is leading his nation’s line at the World Cup after a prolific campaign in the Netherlands for Feyenoord.

The 27-year-old has been priced at £30m by his employers, and given that Everton have conducted extensive scouting missions on the forward over the last few months, we can safely say that work has begun on a move which could redefine Moyes’ frontline next year.

Why Ueda would be a Barry upgrade at Everton

Ueda scored 26 goals across 40 matches for Feyenoord in 2025/26, clinical and composed, creative and confident in the air.

Standing at 6 feet even, Ueda is a formidable aerial threat, winning 5.6 duels per game in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is also creating chances for his teammates with a regularity that maybe wouldn’t be expected from someone of his physicality and ostensible role at number nine.

While the aforementioned report also reveals Evertonian interest in struggling Chelsea striker Liam Delap, it’s important to remember that the Englishman has just come off the back of a terrible season, and he is valued at £40m.

Ueda, by contrast, would pack a powerful punch from the opening, and if he manages to bag a few goals for Japan at the ongoing World Cup, more power to him.

Barry hasn’t been convincing enough in the Premier League to assure the Everton faithful that their support is in good hands over the next year. He has drifted through too many matches for Moyes’ side, and while he boasts impressive athleticism and movement, his skill in front of goal leaves a lot to be desired.

Ueda might not be the youngest, but he has a fair few seasons in the locker, and he might even emerge as the prolific and well-rounded frontman that the Merseyside outfit have been searching for for quite some time now.

Is he better than Barry? Absolutely. The Frenchman may yet grow into one of Europe’s elite, but there is no guarantee there, and Everton need to make progress from the get-go next season.