Liam Delap has been linked with a move to Manchester United
Liam Delap has been linked with a move to Manchester United
Liam Delap has named Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol, as he continues to be linked with a summer move to Old Trafford.
The Ipswich Town forward has been in excellent form this season, scoring nine goals in 23 appearances following his £15million switch from Manchester City. Delap who spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Hull City, left City on a permanent deal last summer and has flourished since his move to Ipswich.
It was reported earlier this month that United have made Delap a 'top transfer target'. The United board discussed Delap in the final week of the January window and are looking to sign him in the summer.
Two members of United's transfer committee - CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox - know Delap from when they worked together at City. That link could come in handy should United pursue a move for Delap, though Pep Guardiola's City do have a £29.5m buy-back option.
Delap has made a name for himself in the Premier League, that is for certain, but who did he look up to as a child? Speaking to TWTD on his idol, the 22-year-old has named ex-United forward Ronaldo and Harry Kane as the two he watched most and has tried to take parts from both of them.
"It was always Cristiano [Ronaldo]," he said. "When I was young, I idolised him as a little boy and growing up I was all focused on him. Now in recent years you’re looking at Harry Kane, what he has done is incredible.
"I've always had in my mind that I love scoring goals and love the feeling of scoring goals, so for me to be anything other than a striker was not the one."
Although he has been impressive at Ipswich, Delap also named a couple of attributes that he would like to improve on. "The boss is so detailed on the out of possession side of things," Delap said.
"Before I came here, I had a concept of it but I probably wasn’t as aware as he wanted me to be. That’s something he and all the staff have helped me with throughout the season, I feel like I’m starting to improve that.
"[Headed goals are] definitely think it’s something I need to work on depending on how many balls are getting put in the box."