24/05/2025 19comments  |  Jump to last

Everton have already held talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap and are also monitoring Liverpool winger Ben Doak, on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough. 

Delap, who has a £30m release clause following Ipswich’s relegation, is the subject of plenty of interest from clubs across the Premier League. He is reportedly wanted by Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle United and although Everton are “a bit behind the black ball”, they could offer Delap the chance to lead the frontline next season and make him the face of their new project under the Friedkin Group.

“We have had a chance to speak to him. He’s spoken to three or four clubs and he’s given us the opportunity to pitch our case. We’re probably a little bit behind the black ball but you never know what happens,” said manager David Moyes.

Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that the club has held talks with his camp in a post on X (formerly Twitter). 

“Everton have presented their project to Liam Delap in direct meeting with David Moyes involved. Face to face talks took place this week, as Chelsea and Man United remain keen on Ipswich striker. £30m clause available, Everton would be ready to offer an important salary,” he posted on the social media platform.

Meanwhile, the Blues have also “discussed a move” for Liverpool’s Ben Doak, reported Paul Joyce of The Times. The 19-year-old is said to have a price tag around £30 million following a productive loan spell with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Not since 1992, when Gary Ablett moved from Liverpool to Everton, has a footballer crossed the city divide in that direction.

 

Reader Comments (19)

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Kirk McArdle
1 Posted 24/05/2025 at 10:54:56
Both Delap and Doak are the kind of profile we should be going after. Young, home nations experience and, if progression is there, sellable assets for more than we paid in 2 - 3 seasons time.

Delap only has to choose whether to play week in week out for the likes of Everton (and I am sure West Ham would offer this route too) or late sub cameos and cup games for the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea and definitely Newcastle as Isak is the first choice.

Doak, from what I understand, is a right-wing speed demon but must be surely put off by Liverpool's stance on player action like Elliott, Ramsey and Bajcetic. All highly thought of but never likely to be regulars.

Colin Glassar
2 Posted 24/05/2025 at 10:55:36
I just saw on Sky Sports News, Delap has been talking to Man Utd and Chelsea. They ignored us completely (nothing new) despite it being widely reported in the written media.

I don't put too much into dour Dave's pressers. He's a minimalist in the extreme. He'd make a good poker player.

Kevin Molloy
3 Posted 24/05/2025 at 11:14:33
I had to laugh, it is a sign of Man Utd' s season, that the Mirror's latest headline is 'Blow to United as Everton now rival them for target Delap'.

Imagine how much they are enjoying all this.

Robert Tressell
4 Posted 24/05/2025 at 11:26:27
Doak: 3 goals and 7 assists in 24 games (Championship) age 20.

Fellows: 4 goals and 14 assists in 45 games (Championship) age 21.

Both players heavily linked for a while now.

Similar-ish but Doak I think has the higher potential. Pace and aggression to go with obvious ability.

Colin Glassar
5 Posted 24/05/2025 at 11:42:31
What about Jobe Bellingham?

We didn't even try and get his dad when he was at Birmingham.

Danny O'Neill
6 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:30:12
I did read unconfirmed rumours that Delap had been at the new stadium. He is probably being courted by several clubs.

Going back to what I've said previously, I don't know too much about him and haven't watched him closely. Others seem to rate him.

If Moyes is calling the shots, it will depend on if he's a good fit for the team he wants, as that is how he tends to operate. It is going to be an interesting summer, with the speculation starting already.

We'll just have to wait and see what the club throws up.

Andrew Ellams
7 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:32:01
I'm not sure Delap would be that much of a bit part player at Man Utd.

They don't have much else up front.

Dave Abrahams
8 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:36:25
Colin (2),

I think Moyes would throw his hand in if the stakes went over a nicker — watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves, as Dour Dave would say!

Dave Cook
9 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:41:20
Colin (5)

Not sure we should be aiming for non-league level of football, but his brother isn't too bad.

Robert Tressell
10 Posted 24/05/2025 at 12:41:59
Andrew # 6, they have Hojlund and Zirkzee.

Neither player is anything like as bad as Man Utd are making them look. Same for quite a lot of that underperforming squad.

There's something very rotten at Man Utd.

If we were to get Delap, we'd also need attackers like Doak and a really good RB to give him a chance to perform.

Ian Bennett
11 Posted 24/05/2025 at 13:08:53
Jobe Bellingham is a very good player, and is tipped to go to Germany like his brother.

Keeps the ball very well. Think it would be £25m+, which would probably rule us out.

Andrew Grey
12 Posted 24/05/2025 at 13:16:33
Danny - 6

I did see a picture of Delap at the new HDBMD stadium on social media, it was a selfie by someone who works there.

Martin Farrington
13 Posted 24/05/2025 at 13:56:02
Delap valued at £29.4M, Doak at £11.75M, according to the net. Their prices are in euros, I converted. We need them.
I don't know if we stand a chance.

Cheaty Chelsea, who keep using loopholes to give themselves a massive PSR advantage, are faves for Delap I guess.

Man Utd, who could be in debt for a billion zillion gazillion £'s and it wouldn't breach P&S rules under Fuhrer Masters, is not a great move football wise, but is the more glamorous than cheaty. But he lives in the South-East and they are nearer too with guaranteed European footy.

As for Doak. I have no idea if crossing over would be a major issue. I've never seen him play. But at least some of the noises coming out are positive. I just hope we won't need to sign the Toffee Lady and one of Dixie's boots to boast squad numbers next season…

Jack Convery
14 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:04:44
After spending 5 years at Man City, does he have a pad in the North West? Is he married to a North West girl? If 'Yes', that means it may be just us and Man Utd in the frame.

Grabbing at straws I know but just for once it would be good to get one over on the Sly Six.

Colin Glassar
15 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:37:26
Dave 9, I meant his older brother.

Delap has it al, ie, pace, strength, two-footed, good header, winds opponents up, he's a bit gobby etc… What's not to like?

Brian Williams
16 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:39:08
Andrew #12,

That was a photoshopped photo. A really obvious one too!

Kevin Molloy
17 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:42:20
It's actually v unusual for Moyes to do this. Tell everyone we are speaking to a player, when it's all up in the air.

It's clearly a deliberate strategy, I can't really see the point though (although I'm sure there is one).

Raymond Fox
18 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:47:44
A smart move for Delap would be to come to us, there will be less hype, less pressure than going to both Chelsea and Utd.

Obviously they will probably pay more and Chelsea will be in Euro competitions too, but plenty players have spoiled their careers going to such clubs in the past.

Bobby Mallon
19 Posted 24/05/2025 at 14:50:42
He will sign for us in June.

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