David Moyes said Liam Delap was of interest to Everton but conceded the club may find it difficult to win the battle for his signature. The Ipswich Town forward has had a stellar season despite his side being relegated from the Premier League with weeks to spare.

Twelve goals in 33 league games have caused a host of clubs to sit up and take notice in the 22-year-old, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea among those being heavily linked with the former Manchester City player.

With the player having a £30m relegation release clause in his contract, he should fall within Everton’s orbit during a summer in which, at least from July 1, Moyes should be able to tap into the resources of new owners The Friedkin Group to rebuild his squad.

The Blues can make a compelling case for Delap to move to Merseyside, where he would likely have a team built around him and get the opportunity to lead the club through the new era that will launch with the move to the new waterfront stadium next season.

He will also get to savour the passion of the club’s fanbase when he and Ipswich visit Goodison Park on Saturday, the penultimate game at the historic venue promising to be a showpiece event.

As previously reported by the ECHO, Moyes would love to make him the centrepiece of his rebuild but accepts Everton may find it tough to compete with some of those reportedly set to fight for him.

Such hopes took another blow on Thursday as Man Utd hammered Athletic Club in Bilbao to move to the brink of a European final.

Success in the Europa League, which looks likely to see Ruben Amorim’s side face Tottenham Hotspur in the final, would offer the winner the PR and financial boost of Champions League football despite them battling with Everton in the lower half of the table this year.

Aware of the context Everton would be operating in, Moyes said: “He would be one who we would certainly have an interest in… we would certainly be interested if he was interested in us.