---
title: "Everton talking points: Oulai interest, Delap doubt, and Pickford’s date with Messi"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/everton-talking-points-oulai-delap-pickford/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2026-07-14T06:17:55Z"
modified: "2026-07-14T06:18:45Z"
---

# Everton talking points: Oulai interest, Delap doubt, and Pickford’s date with Messi

***Seven stories published on Monday, from a fresh midfield name to England’s World Cup semi-final — here’s where everything stands.***

Monday opened with Everton’s interest in Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy set against a modest Grealish valuation, and closed with Jordan Pickford preparing to face Lionel Messi for the first time in his career. In between, the kit leaked, the right-back search kept ticking, and one more midfield name emerged.

### **Murphy interest raises an old question**

Everton’s interest in [Jacob Murphy](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-jacob-murphy-transfer-strategy-grealish/) sits awkwardly alongside Football Insider’s report that the club’s ceiling for a permanent Jack Grealish deal is just £5m-£10m. Murphy, 31, with a year left at Newcastle and a dip in output last season, looks more like squad cover than a marquee addition — which is fine as a contingency, less fine if he ends up as Everton’s primary attacking signing of the summer.

### **Barcelona ready to sell Bardghji**

[Roony Bardghji](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-roony-bardghji-barcelona-transfer-interest/) has been on the move since last summer’s £2m switch from FC Copenhagen, and Barcelona are now said to be willing to let him go after a stop-start debut campaign. Everton have been alerted alongside Leeds and Aston Villa, with Leeds understood to be the more advanced suitor. Early stage, but a name to file away given the Toffees’ well-documented need for wide depth.

### **Right-back search set to run long**

Everton are content to let their [right-back pursuit](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-right-back-doue-wan-bissaka-deadline-day/) drag into deadline day, banking on Strasbourg’s Guela Doue getting cheaper as the market develops, with West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka held in reserve as the more advanced fallback. It’s a patient approach in a summer that has otherwise moved quickly.

### **New away kit beats the launch**

Castore’s navy-pinstriped [2026-27 away kit](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-2026-27-away-kit-leaked-billboard/) leaked early via a Liverpool billboard reading “On Sale Now.” Early reviews from supporters have been unusually warm for a Castore release.

### **Delap told to make his mind up**

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has urged the club to walk away from [Liam Delap](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-liam-delap-dithering-chelsea-transfer/) if the Chelsea striker isn’t fully committed, amid reports he’d rather fight for his place under Xabi Alonso. Delap has managed just three goals in 47 games since his move from Ipswich.

### **Oulai emerges as a scouting target**

Everton are among a growing list of clubs, including Barcelona, PSG and RB Leipzig, monitoring Trabzonspor’s [Christ Inao Oulai](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/everton-transfer-news-christ-inao-oulai-interest/). The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international impressed at the World Cup, but this remains scouting-level interest rather than anything close to a move.

### **Pickford’s toughest test yet**

[Jordan Pickford](https://readeverton.com/2026/07/13/jordan-pickford-england-argentina-messi-world-cup-semi-final/) starts against [Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/england-v-argentina-live-stream-team-news-tickets-and-more) with a [World Cup](https://dave.sport/sport/world-cup) final on the line — and a first career meeting with Lionel Messi to navigate. England have conceded six in six games so far, with Pickford unbeaten in shootouts at major tournaments. A win sends England to New York; defeat means a third-place play-off in Miami.