The Future of Liam Delap: Manchester United or Chelsea?
Liam Delap’s future will be defined after the Europa League final, according to sources close to the player. The possibility of the Ipswich striker joining Chelsea will depend on the outcome of the match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
Delap, 22, is expected to leave Ipswich after a single season at Portman Road, due to the team’s relegation from the Premier League. This allows him to leave if another club activates his release clause of £30 million ($40 million).
Manchester United have identified Delap as their main target to reinforce their forward line this summer, ahead of Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP and Victor Osimhen, who was on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli. The Old Trafford team remains determined to sign the young former Manchester City player.
Liam Delap has scored 12 times in the Premier League this season.
United are aware of Chelsea’s long-term interest in Delap, who has scored 12 goals in 36 Premier League games for Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich. Sources close to the player indicate that, although United are the favorites to sign him, the possibility of Chelsea offering European football next season would strengthen their position if United fail to beat Spurs in the Europa League final.
After their worst league campaign since relegation from the top flight in 1973-74, United can only qualify for Europe next season if they win the Europa League trophy and secure a place in the Champions League reserved for the winners. However, Chelsea, Conference League finalists, who can secure a Champions League spot by beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, have already secured a place in Europe next season by securing a top-seven Premier League finish before the final weekend of the campaign.
If United beat Spurs in Bilbao and qualify for the Champions League, Delap is likely to head to Old Trafford, according to sources.
Although sources have also said that United can afford to sign Delap and Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League, the lack of European football in the event of a defeat against Spurs would put Chelsea in pole position to sign the player.
City, who sold Delap to Ipswich for an initial £15 million last year, have a £40 million buy-back option included in the deal, but sources have said that the Etihad club do not plan to activate that option, leaving the way clear for United and Chelsea to compete for his signing.
