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Leeds United target £40m Chelsea transfer as 49ers keep their word

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Leeds United transfer news## Chelsea striker Liam Delap has emerged as a transfer target for Leeds United this summer

21:52, 29 Jul 2026

Leeds United have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap – and should a deal materialise, it would see owners 49ers Enterprises keep a promise made earlier in the summer.

United have been linked with a host of potential new signings this summer as they prepare for the start of the new Premier League season.

Daniel Farke has welcomed two new signings to his squad so far, with Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic both completing permanent moves to Elland Road.

News has also emerged this week that Leeds are close to completing the signing of James Trafford from Manchester City in a deal believed to be worth around £40million.

Reports have now emerged that Leeds are also looking to sign a striker, with Delap emerging as a potential target.

The i Paper say that the Whites are joined by Nottingham Forest and Everton in expressing an interest in signing Delap this summer.

Leeds are seemingly looking to provide competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the centre forward role, although it has been stated that a move for Delap is ambitious at this stage.

Delap’s future at Chelsea has been the subject of debate for some time despite him only arriving from Ipswich last year, with speculation growing he faces a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old is thought to be valued by Chelsea between £35million and £40million.

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Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe made a promise to the club’s supporters earlier in the summer about their transfer plans, outlining their intention to strengthen their squad.

"This coming season and window is about improving the squad even more, so it requires an extra level to be able to come into the squad and earn minutes right away,” Marathe said in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds back in June.

“So we will be pursuing players that have that extra level to them and that's our plan.

"We are going to be very strategic about it. We know we will improve the squad. There'll be a number of ins and probably a handful of outs as well.

"We have such a good squad. You hate to have any outs at all. The reality is there are only a certain number of minutes in any playing squad. For any club you have to have some healthy amount of churn. It's always uncomfortable.

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"There will be hopefully some differentiated players, maybe a few more creative players to help us. But the bar is high and we have to chase that level."

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