Manchester United have been dealt a deadly blow in their pursuit of Liam Delap with the Ipswich Town striker prioritising a move to Chelsea, according to David Ornstein.
Delap, 22, has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League after an impressive season for the Tractor Boys, despite their relegation.
The England U-21 striker has scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists for Keiran McKenna’s side – a strong return considering Ipswich only managed 36 in total this year.
Delap’s contract at Portman Road contains a £30 million release clause which has put a host of clubs on red-alert this summer.
United had landed on the 22-year-old striker as their “first-choice” option up front as Old Trafford officials searched for reinforcements to buttress Ruben Amorim’s front line. But the Red Devils were joined by Chelsea, Newcastle United, Everton, and Nottingham Forest in the race, with interest from Germany as well.
United held “face-to-face talks” with Delap’s representatives last week and had retained optimism over a deal despite a lack of European football next year after the Europa League final defeat.
The club had also reached an agreement with Ipswich Town over the structure of the payment needed to trigger the striker’s release clause.
However, Ornstein now confirms the Reds have been “informed” by Delap he has rejected their interest in favour of a move to Chelsea, confirming a report relayed by The Peoples Person yesterday of the striker’s preference towards Stamford Bridge.
🚨 Liam Delap suitors being informed he is not joining them, amid preference to sign for Chelsea. Sources at likes of #MUFC #NUFC #EFC #NFFC now aware. 22yo on course for #CFC subject to personal terms + release clause requirements being met @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Jx2eqFiJTE
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 29, 2025
Tweet: “Liam Delap suitors being informed he is not joining them, amid preference to sign for Chelsea. Sources at likes of #MUFC #NUFC #EFC #NFFC now aware. 22yo on course for #CFC subject to personal terms + release clause requirements being met @TheAthleticFC.”
The Athletic reporter contends “the 22-year-old will move to Chelsea” once an agreement is struck with Delap and his club over a move, with both expected to be formalities.
It constitutes a major blow at Old Trafford with the club’s limited budget, as well as the lack of European football, likely to prove major hurdles in pursuits of more-established strikers like Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen.
Delap offered a Premier League-proven option in a position of need at a young age and great price with obvious scope for improvement. But it’s this tantalising combination which had put him at the top of other club’s wish lists this summer, with Chelsea having done enough to secure the striker’s signature.
Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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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.
