Robin Bairner
Ipswich striker Liam Delap playing for England U21
© IMAGO
Liam Delap has found transfer hype over him build significantly in recent weeks following his stellar start to the season with Ipswich, and now the striker has been told Chelsea or Manchester United could move for him on one condition.
Delap has exploded onto the Premier League scene with the Tractor Boys, with the 21-year-old scoring six goals in 12 games for Kieran McKenna’s relegation battlers.
Although Town have won only one match all season, the England U21 ace has been finding the net with impressive regularity and is currently on a run of five goals in seven games in the top flight.
All this has attracted significant speculation as to where he could move next – despite only moving to Ipswich from Manchester City for €18 million in the summer.
The Athletic confirms that a deal to a major club could be forthcoming – but only if Delap continues his form for a prolonged period.
It is also confirmed that Chelsea and Man Utd both admire the forward.
Man City can disrupt Delap plans
Manchester City provide an X-factor in all of this because it is believed they have a buy-back clause in the deal.
Although this is not confirmed, it is believed that they will have the possibility to sign Delap if Ipswich accept a corresponding bid from a rival club.
With criticism mounting that Pep Guardiola’s side are too reliant on Erling Haaland for their goals, it is possible that they move to sign a further centre-forward in a similar mould. Delap would fit this profile.
Liam Delap, Ipswich Town
© IMAGO - Liam Delap, Ipswich Town
Like Haaland, he is a physically imposing striker who possesses impressive power, while he is also capable with the ball at his feet.
It is unclear, however, what Delap’s stance on a return to Man City is.
Ipswich have not set a transfer fee for Delap, who is under contract with Town until June 2028, giving them plenty of power in any deal.