Thomas Delaney has been linked with Everton for some time. In the summer there were claims Everton wanted to buy the midfielder from Copenhagen, but he instead agreed a deal with Werder Bremen.
That allowed Delaney to continue at Copenhagen, a club he’d been at since the age of 2, until the winter transfer window, and he’s continued to impress in Denmark this season.
In November there were claims Ronald Koeman, impressed by Delaney’s continued progress, could try and hijack the deal. That would have allowed Werder Bremen to make a quick profit, with Everton paying the club a transfer fee for a player who wouldn’t have actually played for Werder.
Werder Bremen’s director of sport Frank Baumann dismissed that at the time, saying: This isn’t an issue for us. We have no interest in making money off it, we just want to strengthen our team with him. There are no discussions at all.”
Last month Ekstra Bladet ran a big feature on Delaney and Danish pundit Bo Henriksen, was quoted as saying: “He is easily the best player in the Super League. He has so much power and quality that he alone can win football matches. Additionally, he is a great ambassador for Danish football.”
Moving to Werder Bremen for just £1.7m, it looked like one Everton may well regret.
There may be some hope for Everton because, speaking to Ekstra Bladet, Delaney has said the Premier League is his dream.
On interest from England, Delaney explained: “Bundesliga and Bremen is the right step for me now, but I dream one day to play in the Premier League. The Bundesliga was my first priority. It feels right to move to Bremen, because I feel I fit in well with the style of play in the Bundesliga.
“I still have to develop myself, and I’m probably not prepared for the aggressive physicality in the Premier League yet.”
Delaney is 25 years of age so has some time to get to the level he feels would make him ready for Everton or another Premier League team.
With Werder Bremen one place above the Bundesliga relegation places, Delaney was asked if he has a get-out clause and didn’t deny it: “I’d rather not talk about my contract situation. But I expect I’m here to help Bremen, so we can climb up the table.”
It’s certainly worth Koeman keeping an eye on the player. If he can impress in the Bundesliga there’s every chance Everton could get a good deal in the summer.
Delaney may well have a release clause regardless of relegation, many players in Germany do, which would enable him to fulfil his Premier League dream.
