Chelsea are “increasingly confident” they will beat Manchester United in the red-hot race to sign Liam Delap, according to a report.
Delap, 22, has emerged as one of the premium transfers targets in England this summer with a host of Premier League clubs vying for his signature.
The Ipswich Town striker has scored 12 goals and provided two assists this year, despite the Tractor Boys being destined for relegation for the first whistle had been blown this season. Delap’s contract at Portman Road contains a £30 million release clause now Ipswich have been relegated.
In comparisons to many of the other strikers on the market this summer, including Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko, this represents a bargain deal for a young homegrown player with a proven track record in English football.
United’s finances are set to be stretched this summer with a host of reinforcements needed to help Ruben Amorim continue to mould his new squad balanced by the acute pressure of PSR.
As such, a £30 million move for a new striker – a position of urgent priority at Old Trafford – would enable greater sums to be invested elsewhere, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha or Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
And this is a key reason why Delap has emerged as United’s “first-choice” target for a new number nine this summer.
However, the Red Devils face intense pressure from rival Chelsea for the 22-year-old with The Sun revealing the London club are “increasingly confident” they will win the race.
Delap previously worked with Blues’ boss Enzo Maresca when both men crossed paths at the Manchester City Academy. Furthermore, Chelsea’s recruitment director, Joe Shields, previously worked at the Etihad and was described as “instrumental” in the deal which saw Delap join City from Derby County in 2019.
It’s this familiar combination which The Sun reveals is leading Delap to be “favouring” a switch to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford. However, a report relayed by The Peoples Person this week states the 22-year-old striker in fact prefers a move to United with growing confidence amongst the club they will win the race.
With conflicting updates on a red-hot transfer race, the truth will generally lie somewhere in the middle. It’s unlikely Delap has settled on a favoured club yet, particularly because European football is believed to be an important factor in his decision.
And with many of his potential suitors still competing for qualification into either the Europa League or Champions League next season, including United and Chelsea, Delap will most likely wait for the dust to settle on this campaign before deciding where he will call home in the next.
Featured image Stephen Pond via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
