Looking to get their summer business underway, Everton are now reportedly battling to sign a Premier League winner who would instantly become their highest earner.
Everton set to miss out on Liam Delap to Chelsea
Although the summer transfer window is yet to officially get underway, Everton have already reportedly been handed their first rejection courtesy of Liam Delap. The Toffees presented their project to the Ipswich Town star in an attempt to convince him that a step towards David Moyes' side would suit this stage of his career rather than an instant jump into the Premier League's top six. As right as that argument could prove to be, however, it was not enough to convince the talented striker.
Set to turn Everton and Manchester United down as well as others in favour of a move to Chelsea this summer, Delap's decision will disappoint those in Merseyside who would have seen their frontline transformed.
Moyes even confirmed Everton's interest in Delap earlier this month, telling reporters when asked about Delap: “He spoke to three or four clubs. He’s given us our opportunity to pitch our case. We’re probably a little bit behind the black ball but hopefully, you never know what happens.”
Now, however, the Toffees must turn to alternative options in pursuit of improving Moyes' frontline this summer. And whilst names such as Gustavo Hamers have already been mentioned, Everton could first push to sign a Premier League-winning attacking addition when the transfer window swings open.
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Everton are lining up a couple of audacious transfer swoops this summer.
It would be some statement from the Friedkin Group and one that could instantly ease Everton's Delap woes.
Everton now looking to sign Jack Grealish from Man City
According to The Boot Room, Everton are now battling AC Milan and a host of other clubs to sign Jack Grealish this summer, with Manchester City willing to allow the attacking midfielder to leave on loan in the coming months. Alongside the Toffees and Milan, Aston Villa, Napoli, Newcastle and West Ham are also keen, as are clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The former Aston Villa star has won all there is to win at the Etihad, including three Premier League titles, but may look back on his spell at Manchester City with slight frustration, having never truly hit the heights that his £100m price tag suggested he could. Now, after being left out of Pep Guardiola's squad on the final day of the Premier League season, an exit seems increasingly likely.
Jack-Grealish
That said, even on loan, a deal to sign Grealish may not come cheap. If he completed a summer switch to Everton, for example, then he would instantly become their highest earner by some distance at £300,000-a-week.
Everton's highest earners compared to Jack Grealish Salary per week
Jack Grealish £300,000
Jordan Pickford £125,000
Idrissa Gueye £120,000
James Tarkowski £100,000
Michael Keane £80,000
Earning over double what Pickford earns at Everton, the pressure would certainly be on Grealish to perform. In regards to how difficult a deal could be to complete, meanwhile, things are likely to be made that much easier by the fact that the Manchester City man is represented by the same CAA Stellar agency as Jordan Pickford.