Liam Delap's Future at Everton: Transfer Update

Liam Delap just will not leave Everton alone.

His name has hovered over Goodison Park for years, a recurring subplot every time a transfer window opens. David Moyes has never hidden his admiration for the striker, and Everton’s interest first sharpened when Ipswich went down two seasons ago. It never really faded.

Now the story has a new twist at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea door creaking open

With Xabi Alonso in charge at Chelsea, the exit door for Delap could be nudged open again. The striker’s future is back on the agenda, and Everton are watching.

The Chronicle reports in its print edition that Como’s pursuit has stalled. The Italian club’s interest is not expected to progress because Delap wants to stay in the Premier League. That stance has thrown fresh fuel on the Everton link and, according to the report, put the club on “red alert” as the deadline looms.

Chelsea, though, are not in the mood to give him away. A hefty profit is still the aim in west London, with any permanent deal said to be potentially as high as £40 million.

For a forward with just one Premier League goal, that is a brutal figure in this market. It makes a straight purchase by Everton – or even Newcastle, who have also been mentioned – look highly unlikely.

Everton’s striker puzzle

Everton are set to start the new Premier League season with Thierno Barry and Beto as their main options up front. There were flashes from both last season, moments when it looked like something might click. But when the pressure rose, the goals did not arrive often enough.

That is why Delap’s name keeps circling back.

As September 1 edges into view, the dynamic of the window can change quickly. If Chelsea decide Delap has no role under Alonso, different structures come into play. The Chronicle suggests a loan move, with either an option or an obligation to buy, could be on the table if Chelsea push him towards the exit.

For Everton, that would be close to perfect. It adds another body without the immediate hit of a £40m fee, keeps them in the Premier League market, and buys time to see whether Delap can finally turn promise into product.

A crowded, powerful front line

There is a catch. If Delap walks through the door at Finch Farm, Everton would have three strikers cut from a similar cloth.

Barry, Beto and Delap are all powerful, physical forwards. None are renowned for blistering pace in behind. It would give Everton depth, but not necessarily variety, in the most important area of the pitch.

For now, Barry and Beto look set to stay. Interest has grown around them, but neither has been actively pushed onto the market. Any move for Delap would be about adding, not replacing.

Every sign, every whisper, points to Delap being on the move one way or another before the window closes. Everton know the numbers are steep, they know the risk, and they know the history of this pursuit.

The season kicks off in three days. If they are going to act, how long can they afford to wait?