Everton spent £28m to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea back in July 2014, a club-record fee for the Toffees at the time.
The Belgian had just scored 16 goals for Everton while on loan from Chelsea in the 2013/14 campaign, and eventually left Merseyside with 87 goals in 166 appearances.
Nobody can deny Lukaku is arguably the greatest striker Everton have owned in recent times, and as Liam Delap finds himself in a similar situation to the Belgium international at Stamford Bridge, an opportunity is there for David Moyes.
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Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Everton
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Dodd – CameraSport/Alex Livesey/Jan Kruger.
Why Liam Delap could be another Romelu Lukaku for Everton
Putting aside the fact they are both powerful, quick strikers who can bully defenders, there are several similarities between Delap – a primary target for Everton this summer – and Lukaku.
Both have proven themselves in the Premier League at clubs outside of the traditional big four, with Lukaku starring on loan at West Brom in the 2012/13 campaign by scoring 17 goals in 35 Premier League games.
Delap – who Everton believe would flourish under Moyes – did likewise at Ipswich last season, impressing with 12 goals and two assists in 37 Premier League appearances.
Everton benefitted from Chelsea never giving Lukaku a proper chance, and history could be about to repeat itself.
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With only two goals in 34 games – only 13 of which have come as starts – for the west Londoners this term following a £30m move from Ipswich back in June, Delap looks set to leave Chelsea, and Everton remain firmly in the hunt for his signature.
Moyes even met the 23-year-old last summer after Ipswich were relegated, and the conversation is said to have gone well before Chelsea ultimately managed to win the race.
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Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liam Delap of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United.
Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine/Mike Hewitt.
However, the emergence of Joao Pedro as the main man under Liam Rosenior and a lack of opportunities for Delap means Everton could be on the brink of finally landing an heir to Lukaku.
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