‘Liam Delap told to sign for Everton amid Chelsea and Man United warning’
Liam Delap has been told to avoid signing for Chelsea or Man United in favour of joining David Moyes and Everton this summer.
The 22-year-old has thrived since finally leaving Man City permanently, notching 12 goals and two assists for Ipswich Town despite an incredibly difficult campaign for Kieran McKenna’s side.
With the Tractor Boys relegated to the Championship, multiple Premier League clubs have been put on alert by the news of the £30million release clause in the star striker’s contract [BBC Sport].
Moyes confirmed that the Toffees have spoken to Delap and his representatives in recent days, though they face competition from multiple teams for the player’s signature.
Football Insider understands that Man United will not be pulling out of the race for Delap despite missing out on Champions League football, but Ruben Amorim’s side come with a warning tag, as do Chelsea.
Tony Cascarino believes a move to Merseyside under Moyes would suit the player’s development much better than if he were to seal a top-six transfer this summer, and Toffees fans are likely to be delighted.
Liam Delap to get lost at Chelsea or Man United
The ex-Republic of Ireland international said live on talkSPORT: “He’s a handful, a nuisance, has an eye for goal, is mobile and covers the ground well. He fits a lot of clubs, but he needs to find the club he thinks is best for him.
“It’s not just, ‘I’ll go to Man United or Chelsea’. There’s something about me with Moyes… He still needs to work on a lot, so go to a manager who can help him become a better player.
“You can get lost in the system at Chelsea or Man United. We’ve seen younger players go to these clubs and find it really hard to settle, get into the team, and perform to what is expected of them.
“Everton, and someone like Moyes, would be the right place and person for this stage of his career.”
David Moyes to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin replacement at Everton
Football Insider verdict
Signing someone of Delap’s calibre would certainly make a lot of sense for the Toffees, with The Friedkin Group‘s era only just beginning ahead of the exciting move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Currently at the manager’s disposal are Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is out of contract this summer, Beto, and Armando Broja, who is set to return to his parent club Chelsea at the end of the season.
Football Insider understands that Everton will struggle to compete for Angel Gomes’ signature following the midfielder’s Lille exit, but it just goes to show the ambitions of the new owners.
With Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski at the back next season, hopefully, backed up by Jordan Pickford, conceding goals should not be a major worry for Moyes’ first full season in charge.
Scoring, however, has been a problem for the Toffees for a number of seasons, and if Calvert-Lewin is to leave as a free agent this summer, Delap seems like the perfect replacement for such a cheap price.