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Everton enter race for £30m Striker, Moyes confirms interest
David Moyes has confirmed Everton’s interest in joining the race for Liam Delap, but admits the Ipswich striker will be spoilt for choices.
Speaking in the build up to Everton’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich at the weekend, Moyes said the club would gladly consider adding the player if the interest was mutual.
“He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in” said the Scottish manager.
“I think what he probably has to look at will probably be bigger than what we are. So, we would certainly be interested if he was interested in us. That’s for sure.”
Moyes’ statement confirms how hot a property Delap is expected to be this summer, with Ipswich’s relegation activating his £30m release clause. The England U21 striker has reported interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle and Arsenal, and looks a certainty to depart The Tractor Boys this summer.
Manchester United, in particular, are said to have made the player their key target.
Everton keen on Delap
While Ipswich has suffered a difficult Premier League campaign, losing 21 out of 34 matches, the performances of Delap have been a real bright spot. The imposing 6ft 1in striker has netted 12 goals and contributed two assists so far this season.
He leads the line well with his physicality and work ethic, holding the ball up when his side is in possession and pressing high up the pitch when his side is defending. He’s a fox in the box in front of goal, instinctively sniffing out spaces and snapping into half chances.
He could be useful for clubs looking to add another option to their frontline. If rumours linking Delap to Old Trafford and other big six Premier League clubs are true, Everton could find themselves low on the list for the player.
He may well be enticed by Champions League football and the lifted profile and expectations that come with wearing the shirt of famous clubs. At 22, he will want to break into the full England set up and he could fancy a move to somewhere where more eyes will be on him.
Everton shouldn’t be ruled out completely though, with the club having lofty ambitions of their own. A high profile stadium upgrade to Bramley-Moore Dock is on the cards for the 2025/26 season, and Delap could represent a new wave of high profile new signing to lift the energy.
It is likely Delap would see plenty of minutes at Everton as well, which may not be guaranteed elsewhere. The player could consider making the move to Merseyside as part of his short term development before seeking the bigger move later down the line.
