Everton have “presented their project to Liam Delap” as they hope to sign the striker, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Everton looked set for another relegation battle under Sean Dyche at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, with the Toffees struggling for consistency in the Premier League. In December 2024, the Friedkin Group completed their takeover of the club and since then, optimism has started to grow.
January saw Dyche sacked and replaced by David Moyes, who returned to the club 12 years after his initial departure. The Scot has stabilised things at Everton, who will now finish the season comfortably within the confines of mid-table as the club prepare for a move away from Goodison Park.
Striker Beto has found some form, here and there, under Moyes, but it is clear that the manager wants further depth and quality for his attack.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Everton have held a direct meeting with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, a meeting at which Moyes was present. Town manager Kieran McKenna won a second-straight promotion in 2024, guiding Ipswich back to the Premier League after an absence that spanned over two decades.
Though many were optimistic and hopeful that Town could stay up, the Tractor Boys were relegated immediately, one of the last six promoted teams to head straight back down to the Championship in what is a worrying trend for the divisions.
In what has been a bleak season in terms of points on the board, Delap has been a shining light for Ipswich and his form has seen him dubbed “phenomenal” by teammate Jens Cajuste. The striker joined the club ahead of their Premier League return from Manchester City and has enjoyed a breakout campaign, despite struggling for form on loan in the Championship earlier in his career.
As per Romano, Delap has a £30 million release clause which has attracted suitors and will surely be activated this summer. In Everton, Delap would be joining an established top-flight club at which he would receive consistent football, certainly under less pressure than he’d receive at other interested clubs, such as Chelsea or Manchester United.
