Everton remain interested in signing Chelsea striker Liam Delap, but the price being demanded by the London club is currently preventing a deal from progressing.
Toffees manager David Moyes has been an admirer of Delap for more than a year and held talks with the forward last summer in an attempt to convince him to move to Everton. Delap instead chose Chelsea, who signed him from Ipswich Town for £30 million.
However, Everton’s interest has not disappeared.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk, reporter Vinny O’Connor said Moyes remains keen on the 23-year-old and is well aware of what he could potentially bring to his attack.
The major obstacle is Chelsea’s valuation.
Recent reports have placed Chelsea’s asking price between £40m and £50m. Nottingham Forest and Newcastle have also been linked with Delap as Chelsea consider trimming their squad before the transfer window closes.
That valuation is difficult for Everton to justify following Delap’s disappointing first season at Stamford Bridge.
The striker made 41 appearances across all competitions and scored only twice following his £30m arrival from Ipswich. His Premier League return was particularly modest, with just one league goal during the 2025/26 campaign.
O’Connor questioned whether those figures justify Chelsea seeking a sizeable profit only a year after signing him.
“If you’re talking upwards of £40m-£50m for him, his numbers from last season don’t really stack up,” O’Connor said on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk.
“He made 41 appearances, scored a couple of goals – but that doesn’t usually signal an increase in value of £10m-20m.”
That leaves Everton waiting to see whether Chelsea’s position changes as the transfer deadline approaches.
A loan could provide the Toffees with a more realistic route to Delap.
“If he hasn’t got a move by the end of the transfer window and Chelsea are willing to let him go out on loan, that may open the door for Everton,” O’Connor added.
Chelsea have significant competition for places in attack and are expected to sanction several departures before the window shuts. Sky Sports reports that the club are looking to generate money through player sales after another summer of heavy recruitment.
Delap’s struggles at Chelsea contrast sharply with his previous season at Ipswich, where he scored 12 Premier League goals despite the club’s relegation. That form helped convince Chelsea to trigger the £30m clause that took him to Stamford Bridge in June 2025.
Moyes appears willing to give Delap another opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League, but Everton are not prepared to meet Chelsea’s current demands.
For now, the situation is effectively at a standstill. Everton’s interest remains, but a significant reduction in Chelsea’s asking price or willingness to sanction a loan may be required before the Toffees make their move.
