Everton ‘have advantage over Premier League rivals’ in £30m+ Delap battle
David Moyes will be looking to put his mark on Everton over the summer transfer window.
The Scotsman has overseen a significant improvement at Goodison Park since his return earlier in the season.
However, Everton will now be looking to push on under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, in the hope of pushing further up the table next term.
One man who is on the list of targets to assist in that push is Liam Delap, who is likely to leave Ipswich Town after their relegation back to the Championship.
Everton have advantage to use in Delap transfer pursuit
Although part of a struggling side, Delap has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season, showing the potential he has to succeed.
At just 22 years old, the future looks bright for the striker and while his side have been relegated to the Championship, Delap doesn’t look likely to stay there for long.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 33 | 12 | 2 |
The youngster – who ha a £30million release clause – is attracting plenty of interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with Moyes certainly one of the admirers.
The Toffees have struggled at the top end of the pitch this term, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting injured just after Moyes’ arrival and Beto only recently finding form.
Therefore, this is a key position for the Blues to look at in terms of their recruitment. Nevertheless, with the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United also credited with interest, Everton could have a fight on their hands to secure his services.
However, Michael Ball has suggested that his former side may have an upper hand in negotiations as he wrote in the Liverpool Echo (29 April): “When a player has got a buyout clause, like Delap does, and everyone knows the price, there’s always going to be a lot of demand.
“He looks like he could be a Moyes-style striker but I think there are going to be a lot of suitors and that could also drive up his demands.
“It’s also up to the player and where he thinks he can get game time and develop. Everton have got to play on that and tell him how he could come to us and develop his career at our new stadium as playing week in, week out will be best for him.
“He might go to another club and be sitting on the bench and only getting on twice a month, and you don’t enjoy it, it sucks the life out of you.
“Everton have got to speak to players like Delap and anyone else they’re interested in to tell them they’re going to be part of an exciting new project at the new stadium.”
Everton still in fight for Delap
Looking at a side like Newcastle, you can see the attraction of that move from a player’s perspective, but if they can keep hold of Alexander Isak this summer, any additions are likely to be backup options.
However, as Ball points out, if Delap was to make the move to Everton, then he is much more likely to be the man leading the line, allowing him to get regular minutes and continue developing his game.
In addition to this, Everton are not looking towards another relegation battle next season. Instead, they have their sights set on pushing much further up the Premier League table, and with a move to Bramley-Moore Dock, the future looks optimistic.
It won’t be an easy battle for such an in-demand player, but if Delap wants minutes in the Premier League, Merseyside could be the destination for him.