Godwin ObajeEverton eye £30m Liam Delap swoop as Moyes rebuild gathers pace
David Moyes has wasted little time putting his stamp on Everton since returning to the club in January. After replacing Sean Dyche midway through the 2024/25 campaign, the veteran Scottish manager has successfully guided the Toffees away from the looming threat of relegation, instilling fresh belief among fans and players alike.
With the Premier League season now wrapped up and Everton finishing a respectable 13th—an impressive 23 points above relegated Leicester City—attention has quickly turned to strengthening the squad ahead of a vital summer transfer window.
The club is set to begin a new chapter as they prepare to relocate to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the board appears ready to back Moyes in reshaping the squad to compete at a higher level. Among the top targets for this ambitious rebuild is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, a player the Everton hierarchy reportedly views as central to their long-term vision.
Everton’s transfer plans take shape
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Everton are one of several Premier League clubs eager to secure Delap’s signature this summer. The 21-year-old forward, who has impressed during his time at Ipswich, has a release clause of £30m written into his contract—an amount the Toffees are said to be willing to meet in order to win the race for his services.
Romano revealed that Delap is now assessing his options, with Manchester United and Chelsea also monitoring the situation. However, Everton are believed to have made a strong financial proposal, including a clause that could allow the striker to pursue a move in two to three years if a bigger opportunity arises. This flexibility could be a decisive factor in convincing the player to join Moyes’ project on Merseyside.
“Everton are prepared to make a big financial proposal to the player, then give him maybe the possibility to leave the club in two or three years,” said Romano. “For Everton, it would be a sensational signing—he could be the face of the whole project.”
Could Delap be Moyes’ answer to Richarlison?
Richarlison remains a cult hero among Evertonians. The Brazilian forward scored 53 goals in 152 appearances for the club between 2018 and 2022, becoming a talismanic figure during his four-year stint at Goodison Park. His consistent output, energy, and flair made him a fan favourite and a vital cog in Everton’s attacking machinery.
Richarlison eventually earned a £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022, having initially joined Everton from Watford for £40m. While the club made a tidy profit, replacing him has proved difficult, with Everton struggling to find a similarly influential attacking force in the seasons since.
Liam Delap, though, could be the answer to that long-standing problem. Although still young, the striker has showcased tremendous potential, and his performances for Ipswich have attracted widespread praise. Comparisons with Richarlison may seem premature, but the statistics suggest Delap has already surpassed the Brazilian in several key metrics this season.
How Delap stacks up statistically
The numbers from the 2024/25 Premier League season tell a compelling story. Delap played 37 matches for Ipswich, contributing 14 combined goals and assists—almost triple Richarlison’s tally of five in just 15 appearances for Spurs.
Delap also posted a better shot-on-target accuracy rate (44% compared to Richarlison’s 41%) and completed more shot-creating actions (2.2 to 1.4 per 90 minutes). Furthermore, his take-on success rate of 45% dwarfs Richarlison’s surprising 6%, suggesting greater efficiency and confidence in one-on-one situations.
In terms of physical presence, Delap also stands out. He won 43% of his aerial duels this season, compared to Richarlison’s 30%, offering the kind of focal point in attack that Everton have sorely lacked in recent campaigns. His ability to bring others into play is underscored by a superior pass accuracy (70% to 60%) and more progressive carries per 90 minutes (2.1 versus 1.4), giving Moyes the kind of dynamic striker who can both finish and create.
A bold £30m move with high upside
At £30m, Delap would represent a significant outlay for Everton, especially considering their recent financial challenges. But given the player’s age, potential, and current trajectory, it could turn out to be a bargain in the long run.
Not only would Delap add immediate quality and presence to the frontline, but he also has the capacity to develop into a top-level Premier League striker. If he were to follow the same upward path Richarlison did—dominating for Everton before earning a big-money move—then the club could benefit both on the pitch and financially.
This strategy of signing high-upside young players who can be developed and potentially sold at a premium aligns with the model many clubs are now pursuing. For Everton, who are desperate to re-establish themselves as a top-half side, such calculated gambles could be the key to long-term success.
Backing Moyes is crucial
David Moyes has shown he still has what it takes to manage at the top level. His return to Everton has brought much-needed stability, and his vision for the team appears to be well aligned with the club’s future goals. However, for this vision to be realized, the board must fully support him in the transfer market.
Delap is not the only name being linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer. Reports suggest Everton are also in the mix to sign Angel Gomes, who is leaving Lille on a free transfer, and young midfielder Ngalayel Mukau, for whom they’re reportedly willing to pay over £16m.
These links indicate that Everton are not just looking to add bodies but are pursuing high-potential players who can form the foundation of a new-look side.
Conclusion: The start of a new era
Everton’s interest in Liam Delap signals the beginning of what could be an exciting new chapter under David Moyes. If the club can secure the striker’s signature and pair him with other ambitious recruits, fans may finally begin to see a long-term strategy taking shape—something that has been missing for years.
While comparisons to Richarlison carry a weight of expectation, Delap has the attributes and drive to potentially surpass his predecessor. Should he fulfil his promise in blue, he could help lead Everton back to the upper reaches of the Premier League table—and possibly beyond.
A £30m gamble? Yes. But one that could pay off handsomely.
Godwin Obaje
