Everton are reportedly frontrunners in the race to sign a Chelsea star whom Xabi Alonso is happy to sell this summer. David Moyes has been backed with five new signings so far this summer, the latest being Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace. The Welsh attacker joined the Toffees in a swap deal with Dwight McNeil heading in the opposite direction. Johnson will hope to get his career back on track at Goodison Park after a disastrous spell at Selhurst Park. Moyes could be the ideal manager to help the former Tottenham Hotspur return to his best and that might be the thinking behind swooping for a Chelsea star who has flopped at Stamford Bridge. ## What happened? Everton are reportedly in pole position to sign Chelsea star Liam Delap for £40M. ## Why it matters for Everton Delap's potential arrival could have a knock-on effect on Moyes' two current frontmen. There's a chance either Beto or Thierno Barry are sold if the transfer happens. ## What comes next? Delap looks to have retained a fan in Moyes despite his disappointing spell at Chelsea. He suggested that Everton would miss out on the striker to one of the Premier League's bigger clubs when speaking in May 2025: “He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in. 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.” Delap ended up at Stamford Bridge, and Everton turned to Barry, who arrived from Villarreal for £27m. The young Frenchman had a tough start to life at Goodison Park but found his feet as the season progressed and has impressed during pre-season. Moyes could be keen to add another attacking profile to his frontline and Delap is the type of aggressive striker he relishes working with. We've seen the Scot's effect on underperforming players in the past, namely Jesse Lingard at West Ham United and Jack Grealish last season. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 13th in Premier League, 49 pts, 13W-10D-15L from 38 games, recent form LLDDL. Goals this season: 47 scored, 50 conceded (-3 goal difference). Title race: 36 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Tottenham 1-0 Everton (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 0W-1D-4L (LLLLD, most recent first); lost the last 4.