Report: Everton push to land rising star ahead of rivals in transfer battle | OneFootball

Liam Delap at the Heart of Everton’s Ambitious Rebuild

Everton’s New Dawn Hinges on Big Moves

There’s a sense of boldness emerging from Goodison Park. With a fresh ownership era, the long-awaited move to Bramley-Moore Dock nearing completion, and whispers of a reinvigorated recruitment strategy, Everton’s latest move could signal their intent to finally break the cycle of mediocrity. TEAMtalk reports that the Merseyside club are aggressively pushing to sign 22-year-old striker Liam Delap, in a move that has pitted them against heavyweight rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.

The attempt to make Delap the focal point of a new-look Everton is no minor flirtation. It’s a statement. As TEAMtalk outlines, “David Moyes’ side want the 22-year-old to be the face of the future of the club and kickstart the new era and revolution.” That phrase—face of the future—is loaded. Everton are not just buying a player. They’re selling a project.

Race Against Time and Titans

Delap, currently with Ipswich Town, has a £30 million release clause that was activated following the club’s relegation. It’s a hefty price for a player still developing, but one that clubs are evidently willing to meet. Manchester United and Chelsea remain in the race, both able to offer greater financial packages and possibly Champions League football.

“United have made a huge effort to land Delap too,” notes TEAMtalk, and Chelsea “have had very positive discussions with the rising star.” Yet despite these suitors, Everton’s confidence seems buoyed by the belief that they can offer something different: a starring role, genuine trust, and immediate Premier League action.

TEAMtalk sources say Moyes’ pitch has centred on Delap being the centrepiece of a rebuild—not a squad player waiting for scraps behind bigger names. Whether that’s enough to convince a young striker with options is uncertain, especially with Newcastle also entering the fray under Eddie Howe.

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A Calculated Gamble on Potential

Delap isn’t without risk. Ipswich signed him from Manchester City for £20 million last summer, and while his technical quality and physical profile are widely admired, he is still proving himself at the top level. Yet, in a world of inflated valuations and questionable recruitment, Everton’s pursuit feels different. It suggests a club targeting youth, hunger, and the type of player who could grow with the team—not just tread water for a season or two.

Importantly, Manchester City hold a buy-back clause but “are not expected to activate it and are currently not considered to be in the frame,” according to the report. That gives Delap freedom, and his suitors clarity.

If Everton can pull this off, they’ll not only have secured a striker with huge upside—they’ll have sent a message to the rest of the league.

Strategic Identity Through Youth

There’s logic behind Everton’s move. £30 million for a forward who could develop into an England international would be considered good business if the infrastructure around him is right. It’s also the kind of decision that echoes successful models seen at Brighton and Brentford—clubs that took risks on profiles others passed over.

In contrast, Manchester United’s pursuit of Delap appears more like a contingency plan, with TEAMtalk noting they may switch to Patrik Schick should the deal fall through. That Everton appear to have put all their energy into Delap reflects strategic clarity, not desperation.

This isn’t just about signing a striker. It’s about reasserting identity and proving that the ambition at Everton is more than cosmetic.

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This feels like the most “Everton” move in years—and that’s not a slight. It’s ambitious, it’s smart, and it’s finally forward-thinking. For once, we’re not chasing names past their best or panic-buying at the eleventh hour. Delap isn’t the finished article, but he’s precisely the kind of player we need. Someone who could lead the line at Bramley-Moore for the next five years, not just be another short-term patch.

Let’s be honest—beating Man United and Chelsea to a signing like this would’ve been unthinkable even a year ago. But with new ownership and Moyes back in charge, there’s a feeling of change in the air. Moyes built his reputation on players like this. Give him a rough gem and he’ll polish it. Delap might not get Champions League football at Everton yet, but he’ll get starts, fans behind him, and a club that wants him to succeed.

It’s not just about hope—it’s about direction. And for once, we seem to have one.