The latest Manchester United transfer news as the club are one of a few to have held talks with the striker over a potential summer move.
Ipswich Town's Liam Delap warming up prior to kick-off before the Premier League match at Portman Road.
Manchester United transfer target Liam Delap will make a decision over his future this week before joining up with England for the U21 European Championships, according to reports.
United are keen to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window, with Delap seen as a key target. The club are reportedly closing in on a £62.5 million deal for Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha as they look to back Ruben Amorim after a disappointing Premier League campaign.
Delap has impressed in his first full top-flight season with Ipswich, despite the team’s struggles. Ipswich finished the season in 19th position in the table with the relegation confirmed a few weeks ago.
But 22-year-old Delap managed to score 12 goals in 37 league appearances. That has prompted interest from several different clubs.
On Friday, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna confirmed that the striker had been given the green light by the club to open talks with interested parties, including United. Delap has a £30 million release clause in his contract at Portman Road, which is expected to be activated.
Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton are the other clubs said to have held talks with the striker over a potential move this summer. Journalist Ben Jacobs has now given the latest update, claiming that Delap will make a decision on where his future lies this week.
It is said that a key consideration for the player is a guarantee of regular playing time in hopes of catching the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The lack of European football on offer at United may be a stumbling block, but it is added that the club feel that their pitch to Delap is ‘strong’, and the Manchester City academy graduate's desire to return to the north west could be a factor.
For the clubs keen on signing the player this summer, it’s now a matter of waiting for a decision - but it seems an outcome isn't far away.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.