Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has issued an update on the future of striker and Man United target Liam Delap.
Liam Delap celebrates after scoring for Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Manchester United hope to sign Liam Delap this summer.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images.)
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has revealed the club has given Manchester United transfer target Liam Delap permission to hold talks with interested parties ahead of this summer's transfer window.
United have identified Delap, 22, as a primary target to strengthen their attacking options ahead of this summer's transfer window.
Delap, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer, has excelled in his first full season as a Premier League player, scoring 12 goals for the relegated Tractor Boys.
As a result of suffering an immediate return to the Championship, the £30million release clause in Delap's contract will become active this summer. Ipswich will conclude their first Premier League campaign in more than 20 years against West Ham United on Sunday.
"He's looking at his options for next year," McKenna told the media on Friday lunchtime. "We support him with that.
"There's a lot of interest and rightly so. It's looking more likely he goes rather than stays."
Alongside United, Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been credited with interest in the England Under-21 international.
United desperately need to sign a striker this summer and Delap is no stranger to United technical director Jason Wilcox after the pair worked together at City. Well-placed figures at United have already highlighted the apparent dearth of attainable strikers ahead of this summer's window.
Delap, who will turn 23 next February, has been a beacon of light in a season of struggle for Ipswich, who will have ambitions of bouncing straight back to the Premier League at the first attempt next season.
He has contributed two assists in addition to his 12 Premier League goals this term.
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