‘Everton intensify Liam Delap talks after Man United reveal’
Everton are holding behind-the-scenes talks with Liam Delap’s representatives in an effort to convince him to make the move to Merseyside.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that David Moyes “would love” to sign the 22-year-old this summer.
The Toffees are aware that interest from Man United, Chelsea and Newcastle will make the deal difficult, but are prepared to do everything they can to convince him.
Moyes confessed prior to their clash with Ipswich [via Liverpool Echo]: “He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in. We would certainly be interested if he was interested in us.”
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Man United are leading the race for Delap ahead of both Chelsea and Newcastle.
However, Everton are prepared to offer him a more important role in the side and view him as a landmark signing ahead of their move into the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.
Everton race Man United and Chelsea to sign Liam Delap
Football Insider first revealed in February that Man United and Chelsea want to sign Delap as a number of elite sides have been tracking his progress.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United and worked closely with Moyes during his time at West Ham, has now insisted Everton will pull out all the stops to beat rivals to his signature.
“There is no shortage of interest in Delap,” he told Football Insider.
“Man United are the favourites at the moment on the grounds that he knows he will get game time because of their issues up front.
“But I can see him going to Everton for the same reasons – he’d be a landmark signing for them.
“Those would both be very good options for him.
“Everton know they’re not going to be the front-runners for him because of the other teams involved.
“But they’re speaking to him and his representatives and they’ll be doing everything they can to convince him that they are the right move for him.
“He would be a more important player at Everton that he would at a club like United or Chelsea.
“He’s a very honest, hard-working player who has plenty of ability, he’s not afraid to be physical and knock people over, and there’s more to come from him.
“So it’s clear why he’s a target for a lot of these clubs, and it would make him a great fit for Moysey.”
David Moyes eyes Josh Brownhill deal after Burnley latest
On top of their aims to sign a new striker, Moyes is also planning to bolster his midfield with new additions in the summer window.
Football Insider revealed on 5 May that Everton want to sign Burnley star Josh Brownhill and are keeping a close eye on his contract situation at Turf Moor.
The 29-year-old will be out of contract in June and no decision has been made about his future despite their promotion to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 29 April that Abdoulaye Doucoure could leave Everton, which would force the club to find a replacement in the transfer market.
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