Everton eye Delap and Doak with £60m summer strikeforce plan | OneFootball

Everton’s Rebuild Begins with Bold Moves for Delap and Doak

Moyes Targets Youth and Promise in Transfer Strategy

David Moyes’ blueprint for Everton’s summer rebuild is unmistakably clear – inject youth, speed and purpose into a squad in dire need of rejuvenation. With Everton’s ownership, The Friedkin Group, expected to provide a substantial war chest, Moyes is seeking to act decisively despite acknowledging his club’s secondary status in the chase for top talent, suggests a report from The Times.

Everton’s pursuit of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap and Liverpool’s Ben Doak signals a strategy rooted in potential and sell-on value, rather than short-term fixes. Delap, with a £30 million release clause and 12 goals in 36 games, is a standout in England’s Under-21 setup and has permission to speak to a host of clubs.

Photo: IMAGO

“We have had a chance to speak to him,” Moyes said. “He’s spoken to three or four clubs and he’s given us the opportunity to pitch our case. We’re probably a little bit behind the black ball, but you never know what happens.”

Everton may be outsiders in the race, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle all circling, but Moyes’ emphasis on guaranteed minutes may yet prove persuasive for the 22-year-old forward.

Doak Interest Raises Eyebrows on Merseyside

In parallel, Everton’s discussions over Ben Doak bring intrigue and a potential flashpoint with Liverpool, whose valuation of £25 million to £30 million reflects the winger’s trajectory rather than his appearances.

Doak’s loan at Middlesbrough was cut short by injury, but his explosive pace and direct style remain widely admired. Bought for just £600,000 from Celtic in March 2022, he has already made ten senior appearances for Liverpool.

Picture:IMAGO

With opportunities under new manager Arne Slot expected to be limited, Doak could be tempted by a switch across Stanley Park. Whether Liverpool would countenance such a move to their local rivals is another matter.

Structural Shake-Up at Everton Signals New Direction

Beyond transfers, Everton’s backroom overhaul is every bit as significant. Recruitment strategist Nicky Hammond and head of strategy nominee Chris Howarth are set to drive the club’s future planning. Meanwhile, academy director Gareth Prosser departs, raising questions about continuity at youth level.

“Yeah, yeah I am,” Moyes admitted when asked if he was worried about the scale of transition. “I don’t think it’s something you’d have ideally as any manager — such a big changeover. I knew we had this situation when I came into the job.”

The number of players departing or out of contract this summer underlines the rebuild’s urgency. Abdoulaye Doucouré, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and João Virgínia are all leaving, while loan players Jack Harrison, Armando Broja, Orel Mangala, Jesper Lindstrom and Carlos Alcaraz have returned to their parent clubs.

Branthwaite Injury Adds to Growing Concerns

To compound matters, defensive lynchpin Jarrad Branthwaite will miss England’s Under-21 Euros with a hamstring injury. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye, Everton are in transition both on and off the pitch.

“I am surprised at how well the players have done, so well, which has made the decisions a bit easier because if we don’t get anybody we are happy with what we’ve got,” Moyes remarked. “We have five loan players. Most clubs have one or, at worst, two. We have five. That alone gives you an idea. We don’t hold the value of those players.”

Our View – EPL Index:

From an Everton fan’s perspective, there is both excitement and trepidation. The names linked – Delap and Doak – represent talent with headroom to grow. But there’s a risk here too. Spending £30 million on Delap, a striker who thrived in the Championship but remains unproven at Premier League level, is not without its dangers. Still, after years of scattergun recruitment, there’s a sense that this rebuild has method. Moyes, while clearly under pressure, is not panicking.

Doak, however, is the wildcard. While fans would relish snatching a precocious talent from their neighbours, it is the sort of deal that only works with full trust in development and playing time. And as for Liverpool fans, watching a talented youngster potentially cross the divide might be unsettling, particularly after recent losses in depth. Doak has the tools – but does he have the patience to wait at Anfield under Arne Slot?

The summer ahead feels pivotal. Everton’s boardroom is active, Moyes is vocal, and fans – on both sides of the divide – are watching closely.