Manchester United are not the only club Chelsea have had to see off in the race for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Delap was very much a man in demand, with the 22-year-old having a release clause of just £30m.
United were one club who were interested in Delap but have missed out on the player’s signature to Chelsea.
Delap has chosen Chelsea over the Red Devils, but he has also snubbed other Premier League sides in the process.
Everton wanted to make Liam Delap face of their project
As well as United, Everton were also keen on Delap and were prepared to make a big offer to the Englishman.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Toffees planned to make Delap the face of their project and were willing to pay him “crazy money” in order for that to happen.
On his YouTube channel, he said: “Chelsea are very happy with the commitment from Delap because he had many possibilities, including Man United and Newcastle.
“Everton were prepared to offer crazy money to make him the face of the project. But at the end, Delap is going to play for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca‘s been really important in this deal.”
Chelsea could hand Everton another blow this summer as they target Jarrad Branthwaite in their bid to improve their defence.
It has been claimed that Branthwaite’s representatives have been approached by Chelsea in a development that will worry the Toffees.
United have also been linked with the central defender, but it is thought that Branthwaite is keen to play in the Champions League.
What David Moyes said about Everton’s interest in Liam Delap
Everton boss David Moyes actually confirmed the Toffees’ interest in Delap publicly, which managers rarely do.
“He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in,” Moyes said (via Goal) last month. “I think what he probably has to look at will probably be bigger than what we are. So, we would certainly be interested if he was interested in us. That’s for sure.”
The above shows just how much the nine-time English champions wanted the former Manchester City youth player.
It is Chelsea, though, who have won the race for his signature, and things will not end there. There is a possibility that the Blues bring in another striker before the 2025/26 season starts.
Chelsea are hoping to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, though his price tag is a potential stumbling block. It is thought that Eintracht want around £84m for the Frenchman this summer.
Landing Ekitike in addition to Delap would raise question marks over Nicolas Jackson’s future. Maresca will not be able to keep three top strikers happy next term.
