Manchester United continue to be linked with new strikers ahead of the summer transfer window as Ruben Amorim looks to add to his squad.
Manchester United returned to Premier League action on Tuesday night, travelling to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Ruben Amorim’s side drew a blank against Forest as United fell to a 1-0 defeat, with former United winger Anthony Elanga scoring the winner.
United racked up 23 shots against Forest, but none of them found the net, leaving United to taste defeat in the first game after the international break.
Amorim will be frustrated with United’s lack of cutting edge in the final third, and it’s no surprise to see striking rumours ramping up.
United are interested in signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca has been linked with United as well.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Manchester United hold Liam Delap conversations
United may look a little closer to home, though, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap a prime target.
Reports back in February suggested that United were very interested in Delap, with his name coming up during internal transfer discussions.
More United News
The rumours are persisting, with the Daily Mail now claiming that United have held more internal talks over a move to sign Delap.
It’s highlighted that Delap has a £40million release clause in his contract, which can be activated if Ipswich suffer relegation.
That looks likely right now, and United’s Jason Wilcox will be keen to reunite with Delap, having overseen his development at Manchester City.
The problem for United is that Premier League rivals are also very interested in signing Delap.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and even Manchester City are thought to be keen on Delap this summer.
That is a major battle for the 22-year-old’s signature, with Wilcox’s influence potentially vital to any deal.
Liam Delap’s rapid development
Delap spent time on loan at Stoke City and Preston North End in the 2022-23 season but with little success.
A spell with Hull City reaped more rewards last season, tempting Ipswich into signing him permanently from City.
Delap has developed rapidly under Kieran McKenna, scoring 10 goals in 28 Premier League games this season.
Former Ipswich defender Mick Mills has praised Delap as an ‘exceptional player’ whilst speaking to BBC Sport.
Delap deserves the praise coming his way for a brilliant season, but the expectation levels at United are something else.
There are parallels to Rasmus Hojlund here: a young, athletically impressive striker showing big potential to attract United’s attention.
Delap appears to have impressed United too, but there would be major pressure on him to deliver under Amorim, with Hojlund struggling for goals this season.