The striker is close to joining Chelsea according to a number of reports
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Everton look to have come up short in the race to sign Liam Delap. Chelsea are reportedly set to land the Ipswich Town striker.
Blues boss David Moyes has made no secret of his interest in the 22-year-old, who has a £30 million release clause in his contract after Ipswich's relegation. He confirmed Everton had been in negotiations with the player about a potential transfer.
The Blues, Manchester United and Newcastle United have all been credited as holding talks with Delap. However, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, those clubs have been informed that the striker is headed to Stamford Bridge.
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Delap is said to have been enticed by the prospect of playing Champions League football next season. Chelsea qualified for the competition with a win at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season.
The England youth international, who scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season, has also previously worked with Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and recruitment co-director Joe Shields at Manchester City.
The decision from Delap means Everton will have to look elsewhere in their efforts to improve their goalscoring options.
The club have already confirmed they will not be exercising the option in Armando Broja's loan deal, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract in the coming days.
Beto performed well under Moyes in the second half of the campaign and finished with nine goals in all competitions.
The Blues are set to add Carlos Alcaraz to their squad for next season. The ECHO understands that Everton are hopeful of signing the Argentine midfielder on a permanent deal for around £12 million after a successful loan spell from Flamengo.
Everton are also yet to provide an update on the future of a number of players who have expiring contracts.
In addition to Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman could all feasibly leave the club on a free transfer in the coming days.