Everton are yet to receive a formal offer for Thierno Barry after RB Leipzig made an enquiry about the forward. However, if a bid arrives from the Bundesliga giants or any other club, the ECHO understands that Everton's football leadership group will decide how to proceed.
France Under-21 international Barry, a £27m summer signing from Villarreal last year, scored eight times in 41 appearances in all competitions this season. However, he spent the second-half of the campaign playing second fiddle to Beto, who scored eight times from the start of January until the end of the campaign.
RB Leipzig's Managerial Change
News of Leipzig's enquiry, first reported by The Times, comes after the German club decided to sack head coach Ole Werner after just one season in charge at the Red Bull Arena. Werner had led Leipzig into next season's Champions League but was relieved of his duties earlier this week.
Former Bayern Munich and Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis is expected to replace Werner, and Jurgen Klopp, who is Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, explained why the decision had been taken. "We are acting in an advisory capacity as the Global Team," he told German TV channel Magenta TV. "But we were involved in the decision-making process and analysed the season. Ole (Werner) did a fantastic job. We qualified for the Champions League."
Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schafer said in a statement: "We have spent the past few days carrying out a thorough final review of the recent season. On Tuesday evening, we decided that a change of head coach was needed. They played a major role in our successful rebuild and in qualifying for the Champions League. Nevertheless, we believe the challenges ahead require new ideas and a different approach."
Everton's Other Transfer Activities
Meanwhile, Everton remain in negotiations with Middlesbrough over a deal for Hayden Hackney. Hackney has a year left on his contract at the Riverside after rejecting a £20m move to Ipswich Town last summer. But the ECHO understands that the midfielder not only wants a new challenge this summer but also wants to join the Blues despite interest from Crystal Palace and Hull City.
However, Everton and Boro, who were beaten in the Championship play-off final by Hull back in May, have so far been unable to agree a deal. Meanwhile, Tim Iroegbunam remains the subject of interest from clubs at home and abroad.
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