03/06/2025 33comments  |  Jump to last

Everton's hopes of landing Liam Delap always looked like a long shot, with Chelsea now closing in on a deal to sign the striker from Ipswich Town. We've looked at five options Everton could turn to to boost their firepower.

The lure of Champions League football has proven persuasive and the England international will join Chelsea's army of young talent next season. Everton's striker search continues, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely to leave as a free agent and Armando Broja's injury-hit loan concluding. Beto has become a cult figure over the run-in since David Moyes's arrival, but there's no doubt the Toffees need a talisman upfront.

Here are five alternatives to the Ipswich Town striker:

Five Liam Delap alternatives that Everton could target

Matthis Abline (Nantes)

An interesting profile given Everton's interest in Liam Delap. The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign with Nantes in Ligue 1, scoring nine times in France's top division. Statistically, the France U-21 international has similarities with Delap and ranked in the top 15% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries, carries into the penalty area, total carrying distance, and successful take-ons in 2024-25.

In a Nantes side that were one of Ligue 1's lowest-scoring sides, Abline's return of nine goals came from an xG of 9.25. That slight underperformance in chance conversion (-0.25) was still far superior to both Beto (-1.44) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (-5.27).

Everton fans can watch Abline in action at this summer's U-21 European Championship.

Ermedin Demirovic (Stuttgart)

Ermedin Demirovic is weighing up his future at Stuttgart after becoming frustrated with his role. Demirovic failed to command automatic status at Stuttgart despite boasting an impressive goal record.

The Bosnia international scored 15 times in the Bundesliga from just 20 league starts, with only Patrik Schick and Omar Marmoush bettering his non-penalty goal per 90 ratio.

He averaged a goal every 123 minutes for the German side last season.

Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese)

Everton have traditionally thrived from set-pieces and there are few better penalty box presences than Lorenzo Lucca.

The 6ft 7in forward scored 12 league goals for Udinese last season, leading the division for headed goals (5). A traditional target man, Lucca developed his game in Italy's lower tiers before netting 20 times over the last two Serie A campaigns.

Several of Italy's top clubs are monitoring the striker's situation, with Udinese valuing Lucca at around €30m (£25.3m).

Richarlison (Tottenham)

Could Richarlison return this summer? Mutual appreciation remains between Everton and the forward, whose move to Tottenham has not quite worked out as hoped. The 28-year-old struggled with injuries last season and the arrival of Dominic Solanke has seen him fail to command a regular role when fit.

Heading into a World Cup year, Richarlison will want regular minutes to secure his place with Brazil in 2026. For the right price, it is a deal that could be explored.

Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)

Everton have been linked of late with Nick Woltemade, who has enjoyed a coming-of-age campaign at Stuttgart. The 23-year-old is attracting notable transfer interest after scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season.

Woltemade was the DFB-Pokal's leading scorer as Stuttgart won the German Cup and combines a 6ft 6in frame with delicate footwork and dribbling.

West Ham forward Niclas Fullkrug this week endorsed Woltemade's credentials, following the forward's first senior call-up to the Germany squad.

“Nick is a good friend of mine,” Fullkrug told DFB.

“We stayed in touch, even when we no longer played together. In Bremen, we had a lot of contact and often ate together. He is a down-to-earth and good boy, but he is also intelligent and clever. He has had the qualities he has shown for a long time.

“But he needed the time and the trust to be able to show them. He has deservedly established himself at VfB Stuttgart. He brings a lot of qualities that can help us here. Nick, and also Deniz Undav, are good for number nines because they not only finish the game themselves, but also provide a lot of assists. Every striker can benefit from that.”

 

Reader Comments (33)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()


Derek Knox
1 Posted 03/06/2025 at 15:48:00
Probably all speculative and even maybe clickbait, but Nick Woltemade is the one I hope there is some definite mileage in.
Mike Gaynes
2 Posted 03/06/2025 at 15:52:05
I've mentioned this name before: Thierno Barry from Villarreal.

A balls-to-the-wall attacker like Beto. Hard to take your eyes off him. Only 22.

Derek Knox
3 Posted 03/06/2025 at 15:55:11
Mike G, I have never heard of that dude, but bow to your knowledge of him.

Hang on a minute! What if there is no wall? :-)

Alan J Thompson
4 Posted 03/06/2025 at 15:56:22
Does anyone think that we might get a striker to play with Beto?

Or are we all resigned to only ever playing one man up front?

Harry Diamond
Editorial Team
5 Posted 03/06/2025 at 16:04:41
Thierno Barry would be a great option, Mike.

Getting him out of Villarreal would be the trickier part after Champions League qualification!

Mike Gaynes
6 Posted 03/06/2025 at 16:07:46
DK, we are Everton. There is always a damn wall.
David Milner
7 Posted 03/06/2025 at 16:27:29
Thierno Barry only scored 11 of Villarreal's goals, Mike, and 4 of those were penalties. Their top scorer with 19 goals was Ayoze Perez, ex Newcastle.

As I live in Spain and watch a fair few games, Barry was very raw and may not even make the grade in a competitive Premier League.

Villarreal are owned by the local Ceramica Company and don't need to sell. Unless someone comes in with a silly bid.

Frank Sheppard
8 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:06:02
If Moyes wants to or needs to dip into the Championship, I think Josh Sargent at Norwich would be a decent option.

I think Moyes could improve him. I have seen him play several times, and have been impressed.

Ian Bennett
9 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:32:15
Possibly going to Roma, Frank. Not seen much of him, but he looked a level below when he was. Like Nugent, Armstrong, Earnshaw etc.

I'd look at Ivanovic from Millwall. 12 goals in 37 games, 20, Serbian, 6ft-2in, first season in England. That's pretty promising for a young lad. Somebody will probably buy him, send him on loan, and then trouser a nice profit.

Players out of contract next summer:– Mateta, Wissa, Embolo, Muniz, Mbeumo, Cherki, Bakayoko. If there's no option, some of these are going cheap this summer.

Mike Allison
10 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:36:59
I still don't see Richarlison as a No 9. I think this is part of his struggle at Tottenham: he plays much better alongside a No 9, his best seasons were coming from the left.

I'd happily loan him back to do that job, but we'd still need a No 9.

Ajay Gopal
11 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:39:00
We may have a Calvert-Lewin replacement at the club itself.

Chermiti was reportedly impressing Dyche's coaching staff pre-season before he unfortunately got injured. Admittedly, we haven't seen enough of him to conclude if the long injury lay off has seen his skills wane.

A run of games with more than 5 minutes of ‘grass' time will probably enable him to kick on, but not sure if Moyes will be patient with him.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
12 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:42:54
Frank 8,

Josh Sargent is a decent player but no way do I see him cutting it at the top level. He didn't even make the latest USA national team squad. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I'd be sorely disappointed with that signing at any price.

Mike Allison
13 Posted 03/06/2025 at 17:43:17
I saw Sargent play when Norwich were in the Premier League last time. Looked awful, couldn't be dangerous with a machine gun.

We have three strikers at the club better than him already.

Mihir Ambardekar
14 Posted 03/06/2025 at 19:18:46
Nick Woltemade is the real deal.

Rod Harrington
15 Posted 03/06/2025 at 20:14:17
Couldn't be dangerous with a machine gun. Classic Mike. :-)
Robert Tressell
16 Posted 03/06/2025 at 22:10:06
Abline: good technical footballer but not much of a goal scorer. Probably not ready for a starting role in the Premier League but someone to develop. He'd be perfect for any of the three relegated clubs.

Demirovic: very average and not cheap.

Lucca: very tall and not that good. Disaster in only other spell outside of Italy for Ajax.

Richarlison: very injured.

Woltemade: very strange player. Ridiculously tall dribbler. I think he'd be a terrible fit for us - like Scammaca was at West Ham - despite being a good player. Not dynamic enough for our purposes.

Sergeant: very Championship

Barry: Beto but younger? Bit like Bonny at Parma? Possibly flattered by physical attributes but not sure whether he's that good.

I don't think any would improve on Beto or DCL and most are worse. Abline or Barry might come good if they kick on markedly from where they are now. Could take a while.

For me the stand out candidate by a mile is Santiago Castro of Bologna.

Kunal Desai
17 Posted 03/06/2025 at 23:19:27
Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes or Nene Dorgeles at Salzburg are two other options.
Ernie Baywood
18 Posted 04/06/2025 at 02:45:08
Did someone just say Bakayoko?
Mike Gaynes
19 Posted 04/06/2025 at 03:46:44
Robert #16, yep, "Beto but younger" is a good description of Barry.

Re Castro, everybody seems to agree he has tremendous potential -- Italy's trying to lure him away from Argentina -- but you're not gonna ask an undersized 20-year-old with one top-level season (8 goals) to lead the line in the Prem. He could be a great young buy, but doesn't seem like a Delap alternative to me.

Agreed on Sargent. Fierce competitor who has become a quality finisher, but absent great pace or explosiveness. He's fringe in the US picture for a reason.

Steve Brown
20 Posted 04/06/2025 at 05:48:37
The problem is that this is the summer where every club seems to be looking for a striker.

Retain Beto and buy for potential, for example Santiago Castro as Robert says. £30M plus but Italian clubs will usually sell if the price is right.

Jim Bennings
21 Posted 04/06/2025 at 06:01:06
I can't see Barry coming, he's got good potential, 22 with room to improve but I think he could be another Moise Kean at the moment and he's probably too similar also to Beto.

I'd be looking at keeping Beto around the squad and then looking for a slightly different profile type.

Obviously we still don't know what's happening with DCL, but the fact that he still hasn't signed a new contract with days remaining tells me that he doesn't see his future here and frankly I still think we'd be mad now offering him a new one albeit it would be greatly reduced wages.

I don't discount some of what Calvert-Lewin has done for us over the years but I can't ignore that he's the worst natural finisher I have seen leading the line in the last two decades either, coupled with the injury record.

I still think we need two strikers in this summer.

I love Richarlison but unless it was a loan deal I wouldn't be revisiting that one if it meant having to pay millions out.

Steve Shave
22 Posted 04/06/2025 at 06:40:03
I previously ignored your calls for Castro, Robert, based on his poor stats. I've just watched several reels of highlights (so now obviously an expert!) and he looks absolutely mustard. Tidy, powerful and skilful. Not a stand out no 9 brute like Beto or many we see in the Premier League but he could knit the play together I think. Interesting.

Looks similar to me to Igor Jesus and the other Brazillian lad Alberto, arguably less of a risk though? I think we will get a statement about Dom this week and will know one way or another.

Frank Sheppard
23 Posted 04/06/2025 at 06:45:17
More on Sargent, Mike #13

Yes he was poor in the Premier League last time – but so were Norwich – and he was stuck out on left wing.

I still think he could be a Moyes style signing.

Robert Tressell
24 Posted 04/06/2025 at 07:39:42
Steve # 22, yes Castro is very talented. He's 5 ft 10 so not short. If you want to play stylish attacking football this is the sort of player you need, not a target man who is more physical attributes than ability (ie, Dom and Beto).

Igor Jesus seems more like a wing forward / second striker than a main striker. Yuri Alberto is more of a target man style striker but also a very good footballer. I think Castro is better than both of them – albeit he's 4 years younger too so could take longer to settle in.

Sam Hoare
25 Posted 04/06/2025 at 07:40:07
Woltemade is my favourite from this list. Really interesting player who can do a bit of everything and could feasibly fit in at 10 or on the wings (good dribbler though not rapid). Apparently Atletico are intersted which would be hard to beat.

Santiago Castro looks a talent though I wonder if he's not a great fit for the PL? He has some great technical skills but is not the fastest or strongest (though not weak or slow by any stretch). Would he do better in a posession based team perhaps but I wonder if he's a good fit for a counter attacking team? Has Aguero/Lautaro vibes and could certainly be a great player but just wonder if he suits Moyes?

Someone like Barry (or Bonny) has those physical attributes but as Robert suggested may not be an improvement on Beto. Though could outstrip him in time.

Ultimately I suppose we are unlikely to be able to afford an improvement on Beto currently. So taking a punt on someone with potential is probably our best move. My bet would still be Evan Guessand who is fast and technical enough to play on the RW while he adapts to the league and managed 12 goals and 8 assists last season. 20 G+A at 23 years old in Ligue 1 is a good achievement and shows he should be ready to impact straight away in the PL. Brighton are looking at him apparently which is always a good sign.

Price will no doubt be an issue, which is why Delap at £30M was appealing. difficult to guage prices for strikers and depends on competing interest. Castro for example I've seen valuation ranging from £25M to £40M. The reality is we are not going to beat the likes of Spurs, Newcastle, Inter, Atletico etc to players and so may have to either think outside the box or wait for some more dominos to fall as lots of big teams want a new striker.

Robert Tressell
26 Posted 04/06/2025 at 07:42:26
Guessand and Castro together would be a lot like the very effective Thuram and Martinez partnership at Inter, Sam.

It's a shame we can't buy both!

Sam Hoare
27 Posted 04/06/2025 at 08:44:47
Yes! Never say never Robert! It’s a new era. Anything is possible! (But yes, highly improbable)
Sam Hoare
28 Posted 04/06/2025 at 09:25:53
I still think Beto has done just enough to keep the starting slot for next season. With other areas more needy of investment (right flank please!!) I wonder if a loan at striker makes more sense?

There's a few interesting players who are a little down on their luck and could be available on favourable loan deals:

Evan Ferguson

Alexandr Mitrovic

Tammy Abraham

Youssoufa Moukoko

Datro Fofana

Brian Brobbey

El Bilal Toure

I remember being really keen on Bilal Toure who then immediately got a bad injury and is now finding his way back to some form. He's only 23 and is probably surplus to requirements at Atalanta. Maybe a loan with a £16/17m option?

Also like the idea of a punt of Promise David from Belgian. Raw but rapid and huge!

Ray Jacques
29 Posted 04/06/2025 at 10:15:07
No to Richarlison. He will just be injured.

Wheres Straquilarsi?

Kirk McArdle
30 Posted 04/06/2025 at 17:47:27
Robert Tressell / Sam Hoare.

What about Karim Konate from Salzburg? Has just come back from an ACL injury but surely the kind of quick footed quality finisher we should be after?

Also, just seen links to him from AS Roma? Let them buy him and loan to us!

Ian Bennett
31 Posted 04/06/2025 at 18:09:37
It's a shout, but you're taking a player that's still finding thei way after injury.

Loan with obligation to buy might work for both clubs.

Robert Tressell
32 Posted 04/06/2025 at 18:12:30
Kirk, I think you have to look at how Patson Daka has got on at Leicester and how Sekou Koita has got on in Russia as a guide on Konate. Both have really struggled with life after Salzburg - Daka with the step up in standard and Koita with recovery from injury.

If the aim is to find a player to out-score Beto next season, then the chances are very low.

We're probably just naming players who are of the same similar standard to the likes of Onuachu of Saints and Daka of Leicester here.

Sam Hoare
33 Posted 05/06/2025 at 07:45:51
Kirk, Konate looked a real player before his ACL injury. Robert is right that he may have Patson Daka vibes and it is hard to trust a player that shines at Salzburg. But that being said the likes of Mane and Szoboszlai did ok!

I'm alwats happy to take a punt on a player like that to see if he can rediscover his form and grow on potential but doubt he'd be ready to replace Beto and he'd probably be best served going somewhere he'd get more game time.


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


How to get rid of these ads and support TW

© ToffeeWeb