Everton have already missed out on one transfer target to Tottenham this summer.
The Toffees wanted to sign Marcos Senesi after the Argentina international opted to leave Bournemouth, but ultimately ended up moving to Spurs on a free transfer instead.
Now – according to Ben Jacobs – the north Londoners want to beat Everton to another target in Liam Delap.
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Tottenham join Everton in battle to sign Liam Delap
The England U21 international seems likely to leave Chelsea this summer having netted just two goals in 41 appearances last season, following his £30m move from Ipswich.
Everton were keen on Delap before he chose Chelsea, and remain interested in the 23-year-old despite his struggles at Stamford Bridge last term.
However, Jacobs says Tottenham – and also Newcastle – are rivalling the Toffees. The respected journalist told Last Word On Spurs: “Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham, the three clubs that like Delap and, before we can clarify whether anything is going to develop there, Delap wants to stay and fight for his place.
“So he’s going to (need to) understand where is he in this pecking order, with Joao Pedro number one under Xabi Alonso. Who is going to be the number two striker? Is it still going to be Delap? Is it alternatively going to be Nicolas Jackson who’s coming back from a loan spell at Bayern?”
As Jacobs states, Delap now has more competition for a spot in the starting XI at Chelsea with Jackson back from his loan spell at Bayern Munich, while the west Londoners have already agreed to sign Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg.
Therefore, Everton could have a strong chance of signing the former Manchester City striker – especially considering he already spoke to David Moyes last summer and reportedly found the talks productive before Chelsea swooped in.
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The main issue is competition from Tottenham and Newcastle – but considering neither of them can offer Delap European football, Everton have just as much of a chance at this deal as Spurs and the Magpies do.
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