7th Apr 2024 • Written by The Palace Way

Exclusive: Crystal Palace tracking Basel striker

Credit: Marc Schumacher (freshfocus)

Crystal Palace have been tracking 21-year-old Basel striker Thierno Barry as they look for attacking reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window, sources have told The Palace Way.

The 6ft5 forward has been in blistering form since the turn of the year, picking up nine goals and three assists in his last eleven games in all competitions.

Crystal Palace tracking Basel striker Thierno Barry

Barry has been a long-term interest of the Eagles, having first been watched by Palace's scouting network while he was playing for Sochaux's reserves in France. However, his 6ft8 teammate Skelly Alvero was the target at the time, with manager Patrick Vieira looking for young French talent to bring to South London and strengthen his midfield.

Barry went on to join Beveren in 2022 after a successful trial, and had a breakout season in the Challenger Pro League, scoring 20 goals. Beveren's owner is Crystal Palace general partner Josh Harris, who owns 18% of the South London club, and it was through this connection that his name came up on Palace's radar.

Thierno Barry and Skelly Alvero playing for Sochaux's reserves in 2021.

Coincidentally, Alvero also departed Sochaux the following summer for a club owned by a Crystal Palace shareholder - John Textor's Lyon.

Barry's performances in Belgium earned him a move to FC Basel last summer, where he initially struggled, picking up just two goal contributions in the first half of the season. However, in 2024, he has averaged a goal or assist every 93 minutes, making him one of the most in-form players in the Swiss Super League this year.

As a tall, physical, and skillful centre-forward, Barry's profile is similar to that of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been favoured by Palace boss Oliver Glasner since he replaced Roy Hodgson in February.

Is Odsonne Edouard leaving Palace this summer?

Palace are looking to sell multiple assets this summer, in order to raise funds and build a stronger squad ahead of the 23/24 season. With just one year left on his deal, Odsonne Edouard may be one of those moved on this summer, as reported by Edmund Brack of South London Press.

This could pave the way for a younger replacement that better suits Glasner's style of play, such as Barry, who has been described as a "valuable asset during counter attacks". With Glasner looking for athletic players capable of high-intensity pressing and quick transition play, Barry would appear to be a natural match.

However, Edouard is a striker that thrives off of dangerous balls into the box and counter-attacks, and scored his first goal under Glasner on Saturday. If he is able to find form in the last weeks of the season, it is possible he could stake a claim to stay at Selhurst Park.

Who are Palace's other transfer targets?

Last month, multiple reports emerged naming Stade de Reims striker Oumar Diakite as the target of a possible move in the summer. The 20-year-old Ivorian previously played for Red Bull Salzburg's reserve team FC Liefering, where he scored 12 goals across two seasons in the Austrian second division. He is another player who has experience playing the high intensity and athletic style that Glasner is seeking to implement.

Since winning the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast in February, Diakite has three goals and one assist, and Reims are yet to lose a game in which he has started.

The Palace Way also reported on Friday that Palace are monitoring Burnley's Josh Brownhill, and are keen on Birmingham City wonderkid Jordan James.

Gent's Archie Brown and England U21 talent Jaden Philogene are amongst Palace's other transfer targets.

Fans of the Eagles should expect a busy but exciting summer ahead.

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