DONE DEAL NEARLY HERE? Everton’s £40M “SENSATIONAL” Striker Move Is Taking Shape But There’s a SHOCK Exit Nobody Saw Coming!
Everton’s summer transfer window has already taken an interesting turn, but the biggest piece of business could still be waiting to happen.
David Moyes has overseen a significant reshaping of his squad since returning to the club, with Everton bringing in several new faces as they prepare for another demanding Premier League campaign. Yet one position continues to attract plenty of attention: centre-forward.
The latest reports surrounding Chelsea striker Liam Delap have given Everton supporters another reason to keep a close eye on the final weeks of the transfer window. Everton have been linked with the 23-year-old for some time, and reports have suggested that Chelsea could be prepared to listen to offers in the region of £40 million.
But while the possibility of Delap arriving at Everton is enough to get supporters talking, there is another question hiding behind the potential deal.
Who would make way if Moyes finally gets his new striker?
Moyes still wants more
Everton have already completed five senior additions this summer, with Brennan Johnson becoming the latest arrival after joining from Crystal Palace in a swap deal involving Dwight McNeil. Johnson followed Merlin Röhl, Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George and Christian Nørgaard through the door.
That business has changed the look of Moyes’ squad, but it has not completely solved the problems that were evident last season.
Everton finished 13th in the Premier League and struggled for consistency in attack, particularly when goals were needed to turn promising performances into victories. The need for another attacking option has therefore remained one of the major talking points surrounding the club.
And Delap is an intriguing candidate.
The striker arrived at Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer for around £30 million after an impressive breakthrough season. His first campaign at Stamford Bridge, however, was far more difficult. He managed only two goals in 41 appearances, leaving Chelsea prepared to consider his future.
That doesn’t necessarily mean his potential has disappeared.
Quite the opposite.
At Ipswich, Delap showed the physicality, aggression and finishing ability that convinced Chelsea to invest heavily in him. A move to Everton could potentially give him the opportunity to rebuild his confidence and rediscover the form that made him one of the most talked-about young English strikers.
Former Everton scout Bryan King has even compared the potential situation to Romelu Lukaku’s early career, arguing that a move to Everton could provide Delap with the right environment to develop.
But then comes the difficult question
If Everton were to spend anything close to £40 million on another striker, Moyes would have an important squad decision to make.
Everton currently have attacking options including Beto and Thierno Barry, meaning another major investment in the position could create serious competition for minutes. Beto’s situation is particularly interesting because he has entered the final year of his Everton contract, according to recent reports.
That immediately raises the possibility of an exit.
Beto has shown flashes of what he can offer since arriving at Everton, but consistency has remained an issue. The Portuguese forward has struggled to establish himself as an undisputed first-choice striker, and the arrival of a younger £40 million forward would inevitably increase the pressure on his position.
However, it would be wrong to say that a Beto departure is confirmed.
There is currently no official announcement that Everton are preparing to sell him as part of a Delap deal. In fact, the entire Delap situation remains fluid, with different reports giving conflicting indications about Everton’s position. One report has claimed Everton are frontrunners, while another recently stated that the club had previously stepped away because Chelsea’s asking price was considered too high.
That uncertainty is exactly what makes the story so interesting.
Why Delap could change Everton’s attack
Should Everton somehow get the deal over the line, Delap would bring something different to Moyes’ attack.
He is powerful, direct and comfortable playing with his back to goal. His ability to attack crosses and battle against physical defenders would also fit the demands of Premier League football.
More importantly, he is still only 23.
Moyes would not simply be signing a striker for the next season. He would be gambling on a player who could potentially become a long-term focal point of Everton’s attack.
There is also the psychological side of the move.
After a difficult spell at Chelsea, Delap would have something to prove. Everton could offer him regular football and the opportunity to become an important player rather than another name competing for attention in a star-studded squad.
For Moyes, that could be exactly the kind of challenge worth taking.
The final twist
The most intriguing part of this developing story is therefore not simply whether Everton can sign the £40 million striker.
It is what happens to the players already at the club if they do.
Everton have spent the summer carefully rebuilding their squad, and Moyes cannot afford to carry an overloaded attack. Financial considerations, squad space and playing time could all become important factors before the transfer window closes.
With Everton’s first Premier League match of the season approaching and the transfer deadline still ahead, there is time for the situation to change again.
For now, the Delap story should be treated as a developing transfer possibility rather than a completed deal.
But if Everton really are prepared to make a major push for a striker in this price bracket, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:
Moyes may not just be deciding who comes through the door he could also be deciding who has to walk out of it.
