Manchester United have already missed out on several top transfer targets in the summer window.
The Red Devils made a quick start to the transfer window when a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha was confirmed at the start of June.
Since then, however, the only arrival has been Diego Leon who had agreed to join in January. Talks for Bryan Mbeumo have lasted over a month, with both Ruben Amorim and the player now growing frustrated at the delay.
As the Mbeumo saga drags on, Ineos have missed out on several targets with Viktor Gyokeres closing in on Arsenal.
Even earlier than that, Liam Delap snubbed United to join Chelsea despite being considered the No.1 striker target at Old Trafford.
Liam Delap in action for Chelsea at the Club World Cup.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Joao Pedro could make Liam Delap regret Man United snub
Delap’s £30m relegation clause made him hot property this summer and he certainly had no shortage of options to choose from.
Despite reports that Delap was keen to join United, he ended up joining Chelsea, who had European football to offer.
Delap has starred for Chelsea in the Club World Cup since making his move, but now his position is already under threat.
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Delap missed Chelsea’s semi-final clash against Fluminense on Tuesday after picking up too many yellow cards, meaning Enzo Maresca handed a first start to £60m summer signing Joao Pedro.
Pedro scored two wonderful goals to give Chelsea a 2-0 win in the United States, and now Delap faces an uphill battle just to get back into the side.
Why Liam Delap rejected Man United for Chelsea
While United couldn’t offer Delap European football in 2025/26, the Red Devils were willing to make him the first-choice striker at Old Trafford.
However, Delap has a great relationship with Maresca having worked with him before at Manchester City, and so he bought into Chelsea’s project instead.
Ultimately, Delap had doubts about United and the long-term future of Ruben Amorim, and that ended up costing the Red Devils the deal.
READ MORE: Enzo Maresca reveals what he told Liam Delap to prompt him to reject Man Utd transfer, among others
However, while Delap fights to get back into Chelsea’s starting XI, it seems he has passed up the opportunity to be part of a new-look attack at Old Trafford alongside Cunha and (hopefully) Bryan Mbeumo.
Once the Mbeumo deal is wrapped up, Ineos will continue their search for a Delap alternative.