Chelsea Leads Manchester United for Liam Delap
Chelsea has beaten Manchester United in the race to sign Liam Delap, securing his arrival for £30 million (40.5 million dollars). Sources close to Alofoke Deportes confirm that the Conference League winners are about to close the deal with the Ipswich Town striker.
Delap, 22, also sparked interest from Newcastle United and Everton. However, the possibility of playing alongside his former Manchester City teammate, Cole Palmer, at Stamford Bridge next Champions League season tipped the scales in favor of Chelsea, despite long-term interest from United.
Delap’s final decision was expected after United’s clash in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
If United had won the Europa League, they would have secured their place in next season’s Champions League. However, the defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s team means that Amorim and his players will not participate in any European competition next season, a factor that, according to sources, influenced Delap’s decision to join Chelsea.
Sources have revealed that Chelsea is in the final stages of negotiations with Delap, who is available for £30 million due to a clause in his contract with Ipswich in the event of relegation from the Premier League.Delap scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League matches for Kieran McKenna’s side, but his contribution was not enough to keep the Portman Road team in the top flight.
With City opting not to activate a £40 million clause that would return Delap to the Etihad, the striker has given the green light to Chelsea to finalize the deal in time for him to play in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month.
