Everton hold talks with Ipswich striker Delap and show interest in Liverpool winger Doak

Everton have held talks with Liam Delap over a summer move and are also interested in the Liverpool winger Ben Doak.

Delap has a £30m release clause in his Ipswich contract after their relegation from the Premier League and is also wanted by Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle. David Moyes admits Everton are “a bit behind the black ball” in the race for the 22-year-old but, unlike their rivals, could guarantee he would be their first-choice striker next season.

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The Everton manager said: “We have had a chance to speak to him. 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 are also considering a move for Doak, who would be the first player to cross the city divide in that direction since Gary Ablett in 1992. Whether Everton would meet Liverpool’s £30m valuation of the 19-year-old remains to be seen. Doak enjoyed a productive loan at Middlesbrough this season before sustaining a thigh injury that required surgery in January. He joined Liverpool from Celtic for a £600,000 compensation fee in 2022 and in January bids of £15m and £16m from Crystal Palace and Ipswich respectively were rejected.

Jarrad Branthwaite will miss England’s attempt to retain the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia next month through injury. The Everton defender sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s win over Southampton and is facing a six-week lay-off.

Moyes, who confirmed Leighton Baines would remain part of his backroom team, said: “The tournament would have been great for him but I think it’s just going to come too quick for him. It will probably be the start of pre-season before we really get him back.”