David Moyes
Everton are reportedly frontrunners in the race to sign a Chelsea star whom Xabi Alonso is happy to sell this summer.
David Moyes has been backed with five new signings so far this summer, the latest being Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace. The Welsh attacker joined the Toffees in a swap deal with Dwight McNeil heading in the opposite direction.
Johnson will hope to get his career back on track at Hill Dickinson Stadium after a disastrous spell at Selhurst Park. Moyes could be the ideal manager to help the former Tottenham Hotspur return to his best and that might be the thinking behind swooping for a Chelsea star who has flopped at Stamford Bridge.
Everton Best Placed to Sign Liam Delap
via Reuters
Liam Delap's days in West London are numbered, and Chelsea and Alonso have agreed to offload the English striker. He only joined the Blues last summer from Ipswich Town for £30 million but has endured a nightmare.
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are in pole position to sign Delap and have held talks over a possible £40m deal. They aren't the only ones linked with the 23-year-old, as Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle United have been approached by intermediaries.
Delap also has interest from abroad, with Como, Villarreal, and Benfica all thought to be keeping an eye on the situation. But the former Manchester City youngster is looking to remain in England and keen on a return up North.
While Delap has failed to convince since joining Chelsea, his stock was sky-high ahead of the move. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with 12 goals in 37 league games at Ipswich.
Everton transfer targets
Ben White - Move dependent on Arsenal signing Ezri Konsa
Axel Tuanzebe - Ex-Man Utd star on Moyes' radar
Baris Alper Yilmaz - Money not a problem
The Englishman's potential arrival could have a knock-on effect on Moyes' two current frontmen. There's a chance either Beto or Thierno Barry are sold if the transfer happens.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Moyes Clearly Wants Delap
david moyes
Delap looks to have retained a fan in Moyes despite his disappointing spell at Chelsea and the Scot had previously confirmed his interest in the striker. He suggested that Everton would miss out on the striker to one of the Premier League's bigger clubs when speaking in May 2025:
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Liam Delap (Premier League 2025-26)
Matches Played
Starts
Minutes Played
Goals
Assists
Expected Goals (xG)
Total Shots
Shots on Target
Headed Shots
Chances Created
Successful Dribbles
Dribble Success Rate
Delap ended up at Stamford Bridge, and Everton turned to Barry, who arrived from Villarreal for £27m. The young Frenchman had a tough start to life at Hill Dickinson but found his feet as the season progressed and has impressed during pre-season.
Everton manager David Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes
Moyes could be keen to add another attacking profile to his frontline and Delap is the type of aggressive striker he relishes working with. We've seen the Scot's effect on underperforming players in the past, namely Jesse Lingard at West Ham United and Jack Grealish last season.