Flashscore sources: Delap open to Everton move as Chelsea prepare for exit

[p]The striker does not fit into [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a]’s forward planning and, with the squad needing to be trimmed, the focus is on finding realistic solutions for players who have been told they can move on.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/delap-liam/6cfkytBh/"]Delap[/a] is one of the more intriguing cases. Chelsea paid [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ipswich/thqhB2MB/"]Ipswich Town[/a] £30million for the striker, but his time at Stamford Bridge has not produced the step forward everyone hoped for.[/p][p]Chelsea still want to make a profit on their investment, although there is an acceptance that their valuation will have to be grounded in the realities of the market.[/p][p][b]There has been speculation that Chelsea could demand as much as £50million, but sources acknowledge that figure would be unrealistic. The club are expected to seek around £40million, though serious negotiation may even be required to get close to that figure.[/b][/p][p]Right now, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] are considered the most likely landing spot.[/p][p]They have been keen on a deal and, significantly, Delap is intrigued by the possibility. He sees the club as ambitious, with a strong Premier League pedigree, while the prospect of returning to the north of England also appeals to him. [/p][embed guid="022aa8cc-bb96-4f88-93cf-bb1e4954439c" url="https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2088538887526252683" social-type="twitter" /][p]Much of Delap’s senior career has been spent in the north, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a] sending him on loan to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/stoke-city/hSUajdSS/"]Stoke City[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/preston/x8IDVcbi/"]Preston North End[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hull-city/S66R0t75/"]Hull City[/a] between 2022 and 2024.[/p][p]It was at Ipswich, though, that Delap truly established himself. His performances there convinced Chelsea to make their move, but the striker is now looking for regular football, a manager who believes in him and a system that brings out his strengths.[/p][p]That could make Everton an especially interesting fit - but other clubs are considering him.[/p][p][b]Delap has previously been linked with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]Manchester United[/a], but there has been no advance from Old Trafford for a striker at this stage of the window. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nottingham/UsushcZr/"]Nottingham Forest[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle United[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham Hotspur[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds United[/a] have also shown interest.[/b][/p][image alt="Delap's recent domestic league seasons in numbers" id="d70c976c-8f07-4a4f-8508-345cf5533c3b" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="5e7fe275-5157-49a9-8a75-786126190e43" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]There has been attention from abroad, too, with Como, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/villarreal/lUatW5jE/"]Villarreal[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/benfica/zBkyuyRI/"]Benfica[/a] among the clubs to have registered an interest. But Delap would prefer to remain in English football, according to sources.[/p][p]For Chelsea, the challenge is now less about deciding whether Delap has a future at Stamford Bridge and more about getting the right deal done.[/p][p]For Delap, this is about finding the environment in which he can finally become the player Chelsea believed they were buying.[/p][p]Everton currently look best placed to provide that opportunity, but the coming days should bring clear answers over whether they can turn that mutual interest into a transfer.[/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]