Manchester United are desperate to discover whether Ipswich Town star Liam Delap is prepared to complete a switch to Old Trafford in the coming days after head coach Ruben Amorim has set his sights on quickly bolstering his squad ahead of next season, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Matheus Cunha is on course to become the Red Devils' first acquisition since the end of the 2024/25 campaign, with a verbal agreement in place before sealing a £62.5million move from Premier League counterparts Wolverhampton Wanderers, but there is determination to bring in further reinforcements.
A Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last week, which allowed the north Londoners to end their 17-year wait for silverware, means that Manchester United are eager to upgrade their options in the final third of the pitch after missing out on European qualification and adding to their trophy cabinet.
Red Devils Wanting Delap's Answer This Week
Discussions have been held with England under-21 international
Liam Delap during a training session with the England under-21 squad
Manchester United have set a deadline for Delap to make a decision on whether he is interested in heading to Old Trafford, according to GMS sources, with influential figures aiming to get a clear indication of his intentions by the end of the week as he prepares to leave relegated Ipswich.
Red Devils executives have already held face-to-face discussions with the striker, thanks to his current employers giving permission for him to speak to admirers as they prepare to return to the Championship after one season back in the Premier League, and Amorim is eager to get the deal over the line.
GMS sources have been informed that Delap is carefully considering his options, having enjoyed a productive campaign in the top flight, resulting in Manchester United waiting for a response after he has also been involved in similar conversations with fellow suitors Everton and Chelsea.
Liam Delap's statistics in the Premier League for Ipswich Town
The 22-year-old is expected to pinpoint his preferred destination before travelling to the Under-21 European Championships with England and, thanks to having a £30million release clause that has become active following Ipswich's relegation from the top flight, the Red Devils are aiming to pounce if they are given the green-light.
Manchester United can stretch their budget to land Delap thanks to being able to pay the fee for Cunha in instalments, GMS sources have learned, and they want both deals wrapped up early as it will ease firepower concerns and help Amorim to decide who he is willing to offload when the transfer window officially reopens.
Amorim Facing Further Competition for Delap
Premier League counterparts aiming to win race for marksman
Liam Delap in action for Ipswich Town
GMS sources have been told that Manchester United are in serious danger of facing further competition as Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest have been putting themselves in the frame for Delap's signature and are increasingly confident of being able to satisfy his demands after making a tentative approach in the hope of opening talks.
The marksman has been described as 'phenomenal' by Ipswich teammate Jens Cajuste and, having proven that he is capable of causing problems for opponents in the Premier League, Amorim is eager to fight off domestic counterparts as he looks to bring in a frontman capable of leapfrogging Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in the pecking order.
Delap is seeking a move that will elevate his game to the next level, GMS sources understand, with European action and a lucrative contract not being determining factors because he is more interested in discovering how he would fit into the vision of the team and the expectations over the course of his time in new surroundings.
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GMS sources recently revealed that Amorim is looking to sell Casemiro, Andre Onana, Luke Shaw and Hojlund during the summer, having been seeking ways to give his squad a makeover ahead of his first full season at the helm, and their respective departures would increase the budget.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 26/05/2025
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