Liam Delap
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town
Liam Delap continues to catch the attention since leaving Manchester City in the summer.
So much so that he has been linked with a return to the Etihad Stadium, though Manchester United are also on his trail. However, a new report by the Mirror suggests Juventus are eyeing the forward as a replacement for Dusan Vlahovic.
The Italian giants are said to be keen to tie Vlahovic to a new deal but talks over an extension have failed to bear fruit. As a result, that has forced them to look at potential alternatives and Delap is said to fit the profile the club are looking for.
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The report claims Juve are drawing up contingency plans in case an agreement cannot be reached. So much so that they have already watched Delap in action for Ipswich at Portman Road this campaign.
Meanwhile, United and Chelsea are also monitoring his progress. But it's City who have an advantage over other clubs after negotiating a 20 per cent sell-on clause with Ipswich.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has refused to speak over Delap's future. He said: "It's not anything I'm aware of or interested in to be honest. I think that's a question for other people and for [chairman] Mark Ashton.
"My full focus is on this season and, with regards to Liam, trying to help him to continue to improve. I know Liam's full focus is here and trying to help the team. He's had a good start to the season, but we have to remember that's it's very early stages for him.
"This is really his first season starting regularly as a number nine. He played off the side a lot of times last year at Hull, played as a wide striker in some earlier Championship loan moves. So this is his first season doing it week-in, week-out, maybe doing it two times a week, and he's doing it at Premier League level. It's positive that he's doing well, but it's really early days. His focus, my focus, our focus is to keep trying to improve."
Delap scored a goal and provided an assist as Ipswich recorded a 2-1 win away at Tottenham Hotspur. The win in North London was Ipswich's first victory in the top flight this season since their promotion from the Championship. He also put in a fine performance in the 1-1 draw with United at Portman Road last month.
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